The Song of Ice and Fire {Rhaenyra Targaryen}

Chapter 3

"Where'd you learn to fight like that?" The princess called down from the balcony. Lyanna could only stare back in reply, not even comprehending what the Princess had said, only that her voice was the most beautiful thing she'd ever heard. She only awoke from her haze when James nudged her shoulder. She took in a sharp breath and looked to the Princess.

"My father had me taught, along with my brothers." She said quickly, embarrassed by her delayed response. But the Princess only smiled and disappeared from Lyanna's view, and immediately she missed her presence.

But, lucky for her the Princess quickly came back into sight, this time on the courtyard. The Princess walked toward Lyanna, a smile planted on her face. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced," the Princess said holding out her hand, "Rhaenyra, and you must be Lyanna?" Rhaenyra stated and Lyanna grabbed her hand to shake. "Yes, Princess." Lyanna answered as Rhaenyra put her other hand on Lyanna's. "Please, call me Rhaenyra." Rhaenyra said with a smile. "Of course." Lyanna replied, still in shock at the princess's hands around her own.

Rhaenyra lightly tugged Lyanna forward and the two began to walk through the courtyard and to the large weirwood tree. Rhaenyra motioned toward the base of the tree and the pair sat down on a previously placed blanket.

"So, Lyanna, who are you?" Rhaenyra asked. "Well, I'm Lyanna Stark of Winterfell. Daughter of Benjen and Lysa Stark, and sister of Rickon and Bennard Stark." Lyanna replied. "I know that, but who are you?" Rhaenyra asked. "Oh, I'm the only daughter of three children, I don't know how to sew, or embroider, but I know how to take down a man twice my size with nothing more than my hands. Instead of learning ladylike things, I learned how to fight, how to use a sword, the intricate workings of politics. And before today, I hadn't worn a dress in a number of years." Lyanna replied, Rhaenyra looked at her in interest.

As the two girls looked at each other, their was a sense of belonging in the air. Neither knew why, but they felt as if they were where they belonged. With each other. "So, Rhaenyra, tell me about you." Lyanna asked. She was curious about the Princess. "Well, I'm the only child of Aemma and Viserys Targaryen, but my mother is expecting another child, very soon. My father swears on the gods that it's a boy, though I fear that it may be wishful thinking." Rhaenyra says sadly.

"What do you mean?" Lyanna asks. "Well, my father only has one child, a girl, and a girl cannot inherit the iron throne, so for as long as I can remember, all he's ever wanted was a boy. A son, that he can place on the iron throne, an heir. And my mother has given up everything she has, to give him one. But I fear that this may be the last time, whether or not she gives him a son." Rhaenyra says as she leans back against the large white tree.

"Well, couldn't he make you his heir?" Lyanna asked as if it was the most obvious solution in the world. "He could, but the Lords would not like it. They don't believe a woman could be strong enough to sit on the iron throne." She says annoyed. "I think a woman on the iron throne is what we need. I mean, look at our past. War, genocide, everything bad about our history is because of men. A man will get angry over an insult and murder an entire city, and then call women too emotional." Lyanna says and the pair laugh.

"So, I've shared my deep dark feelings, it's your turn now." Rhaenyra says to Lyanna and just for a moment Lyanna considered telling her about the rebellion. But just as quickly as the thought came, she squashed it down. "I'm worried for the fate of the North." Lyanna starts. "Is that why you're here, in King's Landing?" Rhaenyra asks. "Regretfully so. The Hand's sources tell him that there is talk of rebellion in the north. That the Lords want to declare independence as a kingdom, against your father." Lyanna says. "Well is there?" Rhaenyra asks.

"No, I mean it's not that the Northern lords wouldn't want that, but they're too cowardly to actually do it." Lyanna says. "Then why are you worried?" Rhaenyra asks. "Because Otto Hightower fiercely believes that I am lying, and he's slightly offended that my father sent me, a girl, to convince them otherwise." Lyanna scoffed. "Well, my father will see the truth, and his is the only opinion that matters really." Rhaenyra says looking at the brunette.

She notices a brown hair that had fallen into her face. She reaches up her hand to push it out of the way. As she pushes the hair behind Lyanna's ear, her finger brushes up against Lyanna's face, and a quiet gasp can be heard from the girl. Even after the hair is back in place, the two girls don't move, both staring at each other. Rhaenyra's eyes dart down to Lyanna's lips and Lyanna's eyes do the same. Lyanna can't help but notice how soft Rhaenyra's lips look, how they're a beautiful shade of pink. Both girls seem to slowly lean toward each other.

"Girls!" Dorren calls out from across the courtyard. The pair instantly pull away and Lyanna stumbles backwards slightly. "The council has made their decision." Dorren says as he and James move closer to the girls, James looking at Lyanna with a sly smile adorning his face.
"I shall accompany you, I am my fathers royal cup bearer, I should have been there earlier anyway." Rhaenyra says as she gets up and dusts her dress off.

She reaches down and offers Lyanna a hand up. Lyanna takes it and is not at all surprised when she feels a soft hand in hers. She just wonders what the Princess thinks of her rough calloused hands, from the hours of sword fighting with her brothers. As Lyanna stabilizes herself she lets go of Rhaenyra's hand with a soft "thank you" and dusts off her dress.

As the four walk toward the council room James pulls Lyanna back so they're behind Rhaenyra and Dorren. "What was that about?" James whispers to Lyanna, smirking. Lyanna immediately turns a light shade of pink. "What do you mean?" Lyanna asks, trying her best to be inconspicuous, although failing miserably. "That moment with the Princess, seemed very romantic." James whispers, wiggling his eyebrows. Lyanna smacks him on the arm.

"Don't be ridiculous, we've only just met." Lyanna starts before realizing her mistake. "Not that that would matter, as I am not at all interested in her, nor will I be. Or any girl for that matter." Lyanna whispers. "Relax Lady Stark, it takes one to know one." James whispers and Lyanna looks at him in disbelief. "You too?" Lyanna whispers. "Yes, me too." James replies smiling.

Now let it be known that Lyanna Stark had a certain, self discovery, a few years back, when she saw her brothers betrothed, Gillian Glover, after a year that she had spent in King's Landing with her father. The girl had certainly grown more pretty over the year of her absence. But it wasn't until Lyanna found out her brother had felt the same way about seeing Gillian again, that she realized what she had been ignoring most her life. She had only ever told one person, Bennard.
While she loved Rickon, more than anything, she knew that he would tell father, and she had no idea how he would react. But she had heard of a boy, in the Eyrie, with a similar condition that was killed by his father when discovered. And she couldn't risk that. Bennard was accepting when he found out. "I love women, too much maybe, so I get it." He said to cheer her up.

As the group approached the familiar door, Lyanna grew anxious, and it was visible. She could feel the sweat starting to build and her hands starting to shake. She felt a hand slip into hers, she looked down to see the soft, delicate hand of the Princess, holding hers. She looked up to see Rhaenyra smiling softly at her. "He'll believe you, I know it." She said softly and nodded at Dorren, who opened the door.

The pair walked hand in hand until they had to separate, Rhaenyra going over to grab the wine and Lyanna going to her previous spot next to the table. "Lyanna dear, please sit." King Viserys said motioning to a chair between Otto Hightower and Lord Corlys. She sat down and Rhaenyra came over and poured her a glass of wine.

Lyanna took a small sip to calm her nerves. It was a lot less strong than the Northern ale she was used to, but it would just have to do. "Lady Stark, the council has come to a decision." Lord Corlys started. "We believe, that you are correct, in your argument against the possibility of rebellion." King Viserys starts. "But, we cannot know, not for sure. So, the council has decided that you will stay here. Until after the tourney for the Kings heir, where we can speak to the Northern Lords ourselves and come to our own conclusion." Otto Hightower adds.

He seems like the type that would want to say the bad news Lyanna thinks. "Your father is coming to the tourney, correct?" Lord Corlys asks. "Yes, my entire family will, my brother Bennard will be fighting for House Stark. They should have left already, if I'm correct." Lyanna answers, she looks to James for confirmation and he gives a firm nod. "Good, we will speak to him then." Otto says. "Actually, could I send a raven to him myself, I think it best that he hears the news from me, instead of the council." Lyanna asks. "Of course." King Viserys says.

The meeting was finished after that, and Rhaenyra showed Lyanna to the Maester's to send a raven to her father.

Father,
The King and his council halve just informed me of their decision. They believe me in my opposition to the possibility of rebellion but have decided to do their own research on the matter before making any decisions. They wish to keep me here until the King's tourney for his heir, where they can speak to you and the Northern Lords themselves. I know by now you should be on your way. Don't worry about me, I have made friends with the Princess, who will be a good ally if things go sour. I shall see you upon your arrival.
Lyanna Stark