Riverlands – Riverrun

"We haven't had a chance to talk, as a family should," Rickard Stark mumbled, looking to his three present children. Lyanna smiled at her father and nodded her head eagerly. He had already said his hellos and you've grown sentiments to Ned, who took the compliments wholeheartedly and puffed his chest out in confidence. The silent wolf was pleased about little many things, but this was one of them. A father's praise to a son was as rare as the sighting of the comet. They had been admiring the view before their father had interrupted them and called them to his room.

"Benjen has joined the watch," Ned piped. "I got a letter from Maester Aemon."

Rickard let out a chuckle. "I suppose he did not see fit to have a wife and holdfast." There wasn't much I could tempt him with that could keep him away. He thought to himself.

"Well, I know that wedding preparations are going swimmingly," Lyanna smiled letting out a snort. She waited for her brothers and father to understand the pun. "Swimmingly? Because we're with the Tully's?" There was still no response. She rolled her eyes at their lack of sense of humour.

Rickard cleared his throat, unamused by his daughter's childish humour. "Brandon, Lord Tully and I thought it best you present Catelyn with the diadem. For young lover's sake."

"We aren't in love, I am simply fulfilling my duty as you taught me to," Brandon responded. Rickard nodded his head, understanding and picked up the case that held the precious heirloom, giving it to Brandon, who in turn jammed it into his coat pocket.

"Is everything alright father?" Lyanna asked, frowning at his gloom exterior.

Rickard nodded his head. "My children are leaving me, little by little. It saddens me is all."

"We'll get her back. They can't marry her without the approval of a father," Brandon snapped, angered that his father had given up hope.

Rickard scoffed. "Lord Tully has had word from Tywin Lannister, his children have been called to court. They haven't been able to return home."

"For what reason?" Lyanna asked.

Rickard sighed. "For what other reason? To keep the young and impressionable away from their families. The King believes everyone to be conspiring against him. Especially after the Blackfyre's."

Brandon let out a huff. "Why on earth would he want a bastard daughter as a wife for his heir father? I have given it much thought. Not even lowly lords take bastards as their wives, why a King?" Brandon questioned.

"Brandon. Your wedding is in two nights, you ought to start thinking ahead, for your own sanity," Rickard said, fearful his son was becoming too smart, too quickly.

Brandon ignored him, standing from his seat. "Quite peculiar the timing of it all. It makes one think, why would father travel to Dorne? I mean, the Queen's Dornish friends would all have been piled high at the Red Keep. So what was in Dorne that was so interesting for you father?"

"Brandon," Rickard warned.

"Arianne was brought home, four moons after Benjen's birth was she not. Now, if maester Wyllis had taught me anything of the female body, it was that my wife, gods be good, would birth a child in a matter of nine moons after conceiving. Now, we all remember mother waddling around Winterfell with child, with Benjen and father being present. We also remember she had Benjen two moons after you left. Well, I remember, and so did Wyllis, according to his extensive documentation."

"You've been writing to Wyllis?" Ned asked, frowning at his brother's change of character.

"Brandon, watch yourself," Rickard warned once more.

Brandon ignored them both. "So, I presume the journey to and from Dorne is not an easy one father? Considering we got to Harrenhal in just under a moons time. So how did you manage to do it? A moon and a half travelling, finding a whore to impregnate, waiting for the whore to give birth, finding Lilia so conveniently in your tracks who happened to be looking for a job as a milkmaid yet also in desperate need of leaving the comfort of her homeland to come to the North and travelling back, all the while baby Arianne stayed a baby?" He asked, his face turning an ugly shade of red.

"I will hear not one more word from you Brandon, and that is a command," Rickard shouted, slamming his fist on the cup table.

"Why are you so defensive of her birthing grounds father?" Lyanna frowned, confused as to why he had gotten angry.

"I'm sure there's a possible logical reason-" Ned begun, only to be cut off by Brandon.

"Yes, the fact that we have been living with a liar!"

"Brandon, will you calm down?" Lyanna shouted, her voice levelling with Brandon's own.

Rickard pushed past Ned, standing in front of his eldest and ill-tempered son. "Listen here Brandon Stark-"

Brandon did not let him finish, allowing his quick tongue to let slip of what he had calculated to be true. "Why didn't you tell us that she was from the Free Cities father? Why weren't you honest with us? You could have kept her as your ward."

"I-what?" Rickard asked, his face twisting into one of confusion.

Brandon huffed in annoyance. "Well, why else would the King want her? She obviously carries the blood of old Valyria."

Oh, Rickard thought, thank the gods I have been blessed with a foolish son.

...

Kingslanding – The Red Keep

The gardens were just as she had imagined. She was sure that she had never seen the flowers that hung from trees, poked from bushes and lay alone. Purple azalea flowers lined the walkway, bundles of daisies, roses, forget-me-nots, gardenia and many other flowers she didn't have the knowledge of were planted in their own designated area. With status spurting water and ponds filled with strange creatures, Arianne could not help but ignore every word Rhaegar was saying to her and move her focus to look at the plants.

Rhaegar, having noticed that the attention wasn't on him anymore but rather the gardens smiled to himself. "Do you like it?" He asked, leaning down to whisper it in her ear and holding his hands behind his back.

Arianne smiled back at him. "It puts the garden at Winterfell to the greatest shame." And thank you for getting us out of Aerys' lecture on Dornish traitors. Arianne thought to herself. Grateful that they were able to sneak away from the King's ramble of serpents under his nose waiting to strike him, as a punishment for the high families of Dorne leaving while the family were at Harrenhal. Who could blame them? After what happened, I doubt I would stay.

He chuckled. "Well, I cannot take any credit for it of course."

"I'm sure overseeing the planning was so tiresome for you your grace," she said rolling her eyes.

Rhaegar feigned hurt. "To my defence, I wasn't even born when these gardens were created."

"You mean they haven't been changed?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Not that I remember."

"You don't visit the gardens much?" She asked him, wondering why anyone sane enough wouldn't make time in their life to visit such a sanctuary.

"No. We – Elia and I and the children used to live in Dragonstone. Until a year ago." Arianne let out a small, oh not knowing how to respond. "I moved them there because, as you have probably been told things get a little out of hand here. With my father and all...and then he thought I was starting a rebellion in quiet little Dragonstone and demanded we come back."

Arianne nodded her head in understanding. "I hope I'm not invited to bear witness to anything I have been told." She said, a cold chill running down her spine at just the thought of attending an execution or watching a trial. Her father rarely spoke of his business, but Arianne knew that when he only permitted Brandon, Benjen and Ned to accompany him that it would mean the death of a man. Even Lyanna didn't fight her father's wishes when he told them so. "Do you miss it much?" She asked him.

Rhaegar hummed. "I can't say I miss the weather, but I miss being alone. Away from everyone."

"You are a part of the problem if you refuse to solve it Rhaegar."

Rhaegar perked his brow. "Political I see." He led them to a secluded area where the view provided was one less with nature and more sandy steps and lemon trees. "I can only tell you what my business was in Dragonstone if and when you are my present wife."

She nodded her head in agreement. "My father did teach me a thing or two about running a holdfast, I would call it more tactical than political. Politics is reserved for liars and cheats."

"So, I am a liar and a cheat?" Rhaegar asked, smiling down at her. He could not help but wonder how much luck had truly struck him. Elia struggled to have witty conversations with him, often taking remarks he made as insults. Though, Rhaegar knew he couldn't compare a marriage out of duty and forced passion to one that he would enter gladly.

"Yes, you are," she responded truthfully. "You left for Dragonstone to sort out business away from your father and the council. You lied about your reasons and cheated to get permission." The look on his face suggested he didn't appreciate being called a liar nor a cheat. "I mean it in a good way. That is only if your business was in good spirit."

"Hmm," he huffed glaring at her and stopping in his tracks. "You're too smart for your own good." Arianne let out a laugh, one he wanted to lock away in his heart and replay whenever he felt unhappy and walked ahead of him. "Why are you walking away?" Arianne turned to him and they turned back around, following the pebbled footpath in front of her. Rhaegar turned back and understood. "They are just a safety measure."

Ser Jonothor Darry, Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Lewyne Martell had been following them around the gardens since they left court and Arianne could not help but feel uneasy. The three had chosen to keep their helms off, with the permission of Rhaegar due to the heat, and Arianne could not help but feel their eyes and ears lingered on their conversation.

"I don't think Ser Darry likes me much," she whispered to him once he had walked to her.

Rhaegar let out a small smile and turned to Jonothor. "Could that be because you called him Ser Darry instead of Ser Jonothor. Or the fact that you had him carry your trunks to your room, a task that is much too low for such a man."

Arianne felt the heat rise to her cheeks. "I didn't know in which order their names went in. I can't be blamed for following what I was taught. And besides, poor Alexi would've broken his spine carrying anything heavier than a dinner plate!"

"I'm sure Jonothor won't be too hard on you anymore. He has a soft spot for you, you know. Besides, Jonothor is an esteemed member of the Kingsguard. I trust him with my life, therefore with yours too. Did you know that his brother, Ser Willem Darry was master-at-arms of the keep when I was a child?"

"No, I didn't know that. And it's not good to make assumptions about who's life you trust with who."

Rhaegar raised a brow and smiled. "Lewyne Martell is Elia and Oberyn's uncle. Also, the uncle of Prince Doran. He, along with Arthur, is my most trusted companion. And my little bird."

"Why are you telling me this? And what do you mean by little bird?" Arianne frowned, mocking his tone.

"Because I want you to know these things. And by little bird I mean he provides me with information I need. Everyone must have a little bird at Kingslanding, otherwise, you will stay unaware."

"Hmm, go on." She prodded interested to know more about his life.

"Barristan will lay his life for the crown, he saved my father from imprisonment at the Defiance of Dukendale. Something I know he regrets, but it is what earned him the title. Ser Oswell, as you can see..." He turned to look at the guard, who held his head low, "is mourning for his brothers. They may not have had the best attitudes, but they were knighted."

"I wonder who was behind it all, I may not be well informed, but it seemed a little out of the blue."

"When I find out anything, you will be the first to know," he smiled. "And Harlan Grandison, who was our best guard, has passed in his sleep some days ago. No doubt there will be a hunt for a fresh face now." There was a short silence as he thought what more to tell her, "And Arthur Dayne, the best swordsmen in the kingdom."

"Is he now? Or are you just talking him up so I don't request men from Winterfell to guard me? Besides, did you beat him at a joust? Making it impossible for him to be the best." Arianne poked.

"Well, you mentioned on the Kingsroad that the youngest brother would be taking the Black? Call him for service here, before he is sworn in. And he can be a Kingsguard. And, I asked Arthur to let me win, so I could present the most beautiful girl with her rightful honour."

Arianne let out a snort, "and in the process, only made her out to seem as a husband thief."

"I am offended, after how hard I fought for you?" He gasped.

"Nudging Ser Arthur to fall from his horse, is hardly fighting." She pointed out. "And besides, Benjen would slit his throat before becoming a Kingsguard...no offence." Rhaegar shrugged at her, indicating that it wasn't him she had offended. "Besides, it seems my letters aren't reaching anywhere I write." Rhaegar looked down to his feet and silently followed her. "Have you sent any letters?"

He shook his head. "Everyone I need is here."

Arianne turned to look behind her once more. "So, will I ever be given the honour of meeting your children and brother?

"Well my brother is only a babe, so there is nothing too interesting about him. Also, he is the only surviving child of my mother and father's apart from myself-"

"Surviving child?" Arianne frowned.

"Miscarriages and deaths before the babes hit their first birthday. Illnesses and the sort. So as a safety measure my father has Kingsguard's on watch duty day and night, not even my mother can be alone with him."

Arianne widened her eyes, feeling even more pity then she had for Rhaella. "What a life."

"Indeed. But my children, well when they aren't with their mother they are sleeping." Rhaegar responded, shrugging his shoulders.

Arianne sighed, "so I won't get to meet them?"

"I don't think they will be here by then if I know Elia."

"What do you mean?" Arianne asked.

Rhaegar held his head low, worried that if he told her the truth she would see him in a different light. "She is under the impression that you and I are to wed very soon so I gave her an ultimatum. Either return to Dorne as the wife whose marriage I had annulled or she could take the children and Aegon be cut from the line of succession."

"How would you have the marriage annulled?" Arianne wondered. "You have obviously consummated your marriage."

Rhaegar snorted. "I don't think the High Septon would say no to a prince."

Arianne glared at him and stopped in her tracks. "Well luckily I am not your betrothed and she does not have to choose." Rhaegar bit his tongue, not wanting to snap back at her in hurt. "I heard you loved your children as no other father had done, but now you tell me you would have them sent away or taken away from their mother?"

Rhaegar sighed. "What else would you have me do?" He whispered. Their conversation was one best kept for a place where no one was poking around. Where people who had not just been dismissed from court and were looking upon their Prince, trying their hardest to listen to even a snippet of their conversation. "I cannot have two wives, therefore, I cannot have two heirs. Do you understand?" She stayed silent as he pushed them to continue walking. "I love my children, and I know Aegon will be bitter for the crown that was promised to him but...but our children will be the greatest rulers that have graced the kingdom."

"You are delusional if you believe I would marry a man so eager to separate a mother from her babe," Arianne said.

"My grandfather, Jaehaerys, thought my father to be the Prince that was promised. But he was wrong-,"

"And you are the promised Prince?" Arianne asked.

"No, I'm not. I thought it was Aegon, but I was wrong. Just as my grandfather was wrong. But our child will be. He will be born in Dragonstone where many great dragons were born, and he will be the greatest king granted to us by the gods. I would step aside from my own reign to watch him rule."

Arianne looked up at Rhaegar. Obviously, he had thought of the prophecy for longer than what was healthy and sane. "And you know this because...?"

He directed her chin upwards and pointed to the comet that still graced the sky. "Because the gods don't just do that for the fun of it."

"You are something else Prince Rhaegar, something else indeed." Arianne sighed, shaking her head.

Rhaegar smirked down at her and snuck his hand onto her own, holding it tightly. "You cannot deny, you are falling in love with me by the day. Just as I am."

"I didn't know you could fall in love with yourself?" Arianne said, her tone sharp and harsh.

"Arianne, I'm not playing these games with you anymore. Let us be honest. My father brought you here for a reason-"

"As your guest," Arianne scolded, angered by his boldness and confused by his words.

Rhaegar gave her a look of frustration. "I am not fighting falling in love with you, that is all I have to say."

But his professions and poetic response were interrupted by Ser Arthur Dayne. He had come running after the two and his heavy armour had given away his presence, shaking and rattling as he approached them. "My prince," he huffed, wheezing for air.

"Take your time Arthur there is no rush."

"But there is. The king has called a small council meeting and he requests your presence."

Rhaegar laughed, taking his statement as a joke. When Arthur didn't laugh along though he froze. "Why?" He asked. Though he knew the question was futile, Arthur was merely the messenger. Rhaegar turned to Arianne, kissed her hand and then her forehead. "Ask Ser Jonothor to bring you to my room as the sun sets. We will have dinner together, alone, tonight."

Arianne nodded her head as he let go of her hand and walked away with Arthur, Lewyne and Oswell at their tails. She was not the only one watching him leave, as many others who had joined them in the gardens did too. Bowing as he walked past them and whispering small greetings. She turned to Jonothor and sent him a forced smile. "Well, it's just you and me Jon boy. Shall we walk around the gardens some more or would you like a break?" She asked, holding her hands behind her back.

Jonothor kept his gaze away from her and his hand at his sword. "My lady. I am here for your protection. What you choose to do, I follow."

"Very well," Arianne smiled. She realised she must have looked foolish standing in the pathway alone and turned back. "Take me to the Maester, please."

"I can't do that," Jonothor piped, still choosing to look away.

Arianne let out a laugh. "Why not?"

"Prince Rhaegar has given me strict instructions that I am not allowed to take you to the parapets, Maegor's Holdfast, the Dungeon's, the Sept or the Rookery. He says that the gardens, port, Maidenvault, Godswood-,"