The Last Dragon -Rhaegar's Story

The Knight of the Laughing Tree

"My Prince," Ser Richard Lonmouth continues, reading from a list at his hand. "All the Dustins , Hornwoods, Mormonts , Freys and Manderlys have been accounted for. Most of them were at the jousting, and those that were not, their positions have been verified. Therefore" Ser Richard sighs. "We have circled back to our start." He lows the parchment and goes on to get himself a cup of wine. He ask me if I want some, but I decline.

When my Father found the sheild in my hands, he was shocked and angry. He must have thought the Knight would reveal himself and thus he appointed me to find the mystery knight. Which was fine by me. I would have done this anyway.

But nothing makes much sense. An outsider could not come, nor any soldier, as we would know. It is only those that were invited that are here. We have left out only one group of guests- ladies. But who could defeat not one but three champions? Nonsense.

Heavy thundering footsteps sound outside my tent. Ser Arthur Dayne appears, running from the looks of him. He quickly bows and gives his news. "Prince, none of the events of last night  are much interesting. Lord Robert won a drinking contest, Lady Ashara danced with four men, a Night's Watch member tried to recruit men. And last, the only vague but interesting news, Howland Reed was-um," See Arthur takes a breath. "Three squires took advantage of him-"

Howland Reed. Stark's Bannerman. Squires. The Knight's condition.

"-the squires of the champions today-"

Teach your squires honour, the knight had said. The knight. Short. Mix matched armour. Stark bannerman. The laughing tree leaking blood. Grey eyes staring at me.

"Lyanna," I burst out. Ser Richard frowns but See Arthur nods.

"Lady Lyanna defended Howland Reed, my Lord-" continues Ser Arthur.

"Lady Lyanna Stark is the knight." Pieces click on my mind. "If she defended him, she knows how to yeild a sword. She was not at the jousting. The knight wore mix matched armour, therefore he did not have one, as much as it may look he did." I look at the Knights here. " Or she, in this case."

Ser Richard thinks this over. "But, my Prince, a lady taking part in a jousting? Unheard of, even odd."

"Yes, it is odd," counters Ser Arthur. "But is possible."

I look at the two men for a moment. " I shall go and see the truth of this," I decide. "My Father, the King is angry at the Knight, and may want him dead. If what we think is true, that it was Lady Lyanna, the King cannot know. In fact, the news must not leave this room."

I trust Arthur well and Richard was once my squire. Only when they determinedly nod do I realise I trust them. Trust them with my life.

Getting up, I nod at them and leave the tent. Somehow, this news is both surprising and fitting to me. A lady that can fight well. Lyanna.

The tents may be set like a maze, but people like me can find our way anywhere. Most of the soldiers have retired to their tents or to their posts, hence the empty paths.

In a moment I arrive at Lady Stark's tent. A candlelight burns inside. Without even considering anything, I knock aside the curtain and enter. " Lady Stark."

What I find reddens my face in such embarrassment that I quickly dash out. Lyanna Stark was on the bed, her gown pulled up to her thighs so that her handmaid could, I don't know, do something. I stomp my foot and bite my lip to get to my senses. Yes, if she is the knight she would be hurt on her thigh. "I'm sorry, my Lady."

A moment of rushing about happens inside while I stand out, watching a soldier sharp his sword. Then the handmaid rushes out. "You may enter, Prince," Lyanna calls out.

And so I do. My nevers are still lighted, but I concentrate enough to focus. Lady Lyanna is dressed finely in a grey gown and bows when I entered. Which must be painful if she is indeed hurt.

I return the bow. "My Lady, sorry for...the encounter." I finally look at her face, shocked but bold.

"Prince Rhaegar," Lyanna says, her voice restrained, maybe afraid. Oh man, she looks so good in the candlelight.

"It is a beautiful evening, my Lady," I say, opening the curtain wide. No, it is not that I cannot talk to Lyanna alone in a tent, or that I worry about the rumours. But anyone can hear our conversation here.

"That it is." Lyanna stands still, massing her left hand, now covered in bandage. I frown. She doesn't want to go out. She's right, how can she walk with that leg?

So... there is only one way I can say what I want to and it makes my heart race.

I nod at her and then move towards her until we are only a few inches away. Placing a lock of her brown hair behind her ear, I lean in to her ear, my mouth so close to her.

"My Lady, you are not safe showing those wounds in the open," I whisper softly, quietly.

Lyanna goes rigid but then places her lips right next to my ear. "And why is that, my Prince. A lady cannot show her wounds?"

I smile against her ear. "Wounds are as glorious as trophies, my Lady. But wounds at those spots are dangerous."

Lyanna takes a moment to answer. "If my wounds are so important to you, Prince, what would you suggest I do?" Her breath tickles my ear, making me uncomfortable.

I sigh. I had not thought about this. "I don't know, my Lady. Try to heal them fast? Wear gloves?"

She leans back and laughs, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You sure are funny," she laughs.

Smiling at her, I reply, "I'm only myself." Tonight's dinner could have gone unnoticed even if Lyanna had come. Everyone was too busy chatting about the mystery knight. But tomorrow it would be harder. "What have you done for your wounds my Lady?"

Finally Lyanna gets seated with a wince. "Just the normal methods, Prince." She bites her lip, making me want to bite it too. "What can one do with an accidental knife wound?"

This makes me quizzical. Accidental knife wound? So...she must know we are being overheard. Smart girl.

"Aye," I say, returning to my normal self. "Be careful, Lady Lyanna. The night is dark and full of terrors." I stare into her deep grey eyes, relaxed but alert.

"It is." She stares back at me, her gaze unbreaking. "But being afraid doesn't help-"

"Lyanna!" Brandon Stark enters the tent so suddenly and we both culverse. Brandon goes speachless, his mouth open in surprise. "My Prince," he finally says bowing. " What are you doing here?"

"Lord Stark," I bow just as formally. "It is late. I should go." And so I quickly depart, my face full of embarrassment once again.

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Hey guys,

Do you think Rhaegar and Brandon could have been buddies? Comment on what you think!

—Fangirl3321