act i . chapter xxxi
I AM HIS, HE IS MINE
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LYANNA LOOKED TO HER LEFT where Elia was standing, smiling widely. "I wish mine was small like this. No creeping eyes, no rules; no Aerys. You don't have to talk to everyone. And there doesn't have to be a bedding ceremony."
Fear erupted in Lyanna's gut when she thought of what might have been. She certainly didn't want all those things. It may have been nice to have her father here. Or Ned and Benjen. But it was fine. If they were doing this by the Northern custom, she wouldn't have been able to without her father to give her away.
But thankfully, it was different in the south. Lyanna didn't mind the southern customs. There were no heart trees anyway. Her fingers smoothed over the silver-blue fabric that covered her body in a light, comfortable way. The dress was gifted to Lyanna by Elia. It was more covering than most, but it still had a low neckline and no sleeves. The framing was silver, for her House. Ashara Dayne helped her get dressed and did her hair, but it was Elia that told her what to do and how to do it.
She did it in a Northern way, where the top was pulled back in a loose braided bundle while the rest was left to flow down her back. This small touch made Lyanna happy. She had been wearing Dornish since she escaped. She did not style her hair as often as her father would have liked, but when she did, it was always like the way she wore it now.
Now they were standing by the Torenine River, waiting for Rhaegar and Arthur to come. The High Septon was already here. Lyanna was thankful that it was happening here and not inside that dark, dreary Sept under the eyes of gods she didn't know. Here, it was open and the grass tickled her legs. The sun kissed her nose The smell of the salty estuary filled her nose. The winds traveled softly through the air and through her hair and dress.
There was a was a certain peacefulness at that moment that Lyanna hadn't been able to find in a while. "I am sorry, Princess," Lyanna said quietly once more. The former princess of Dragonstone sat down painfully of the bench of stones that sat nearly untouched by the tree. She shook her head.
"Not one person here is at fault for anything that has happened or is in the future," Elia promised, her thin, frail hand . "Not me. Not you. Not Rhaegar."
A shuttering breath went through Lyanna's lungs. She didn't know if she felt better or worse. But the words did something. Before she could say anything else, Rhaegar and Arthur walked up on them, Arthur laughing at something the prince said. Rhaegar left the vicinity of his friend and came to Lyanna taking her hands in his. She still felt like they shouldn't be any type of intimate in front of Elia, but Rhaegar's touch made her feel more comfortable that she was before.
She looked at him for a while. The way his silver hair fell down to his shoulders and was twisted away from his handsome face without flaw. She saw the way the corner of his lips upturned ever so slightly when he saw her face. The 18 year old already had lines of worry etched on his forehead, but now his face was relaxed. He was ecstatic, but he also wasn't worried or apprehensive. He was hard to read. But so handsome. So beautiful. His jaw was freshly shaven and his black dublet was one Lyanna was yet to have seen him wear. It was similar to the one he was in when he found the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
His hands were so warm and Lyanna's so cold. He was a dragon and she a wolf. Fire and Ice. Two poles of the same world. None existing without the other.
Lyanna Stark felt a comfort like never before with her hands in his.
"I do hope you'll allow my your hand, my Lady?" Rhaegar asked her, his voice low and husky, his words intimate. Lyanna thought back to their first dance and smiled, putting one of her hand son his shoulder.
"How could I say no to my prince?" He smiled, understanding her reference.
"Are you sure about this, Lyanna?"
Nodding, Lyanna pulled him down and rested her forehead on his. "Duty is not always easy," she said, repeated, this time understanding what it meant more than ever.
"It's not just duty," Rhaegar reminded, his voice still low. "The gods are never kind to love because love is blind to any loyalty or oaths. I love you, Lyanna Stark."
"I love you, my dragon," Lyanna breathed, tears jumping into her eyes. Her hand moved up his shoulder to hold his face. "This is loyalty. Loyalty past any House or thrones. This is loyalty to the living. And this love will know it."
And with those final words, they turned to the Septon, fingers intertwined. With Arthur Dayne and Elia Martell as their witness, the were married. The soft linen fabric that bound their hands was like promise or a final declaration rather that what it would have ben with Robert: chains.
When they said the words, the world seemed to stop for a moment.
"My lord, my Lady, we stand here in the sight of gods and men to witness the union of man and wife. One flesh, one heart, one soul, now and forever," the Septon said in his elderly, weak voice he tied the ribbon around their fist."Let it be known that Rhaegar of the House Targaryen, First of his name and Prince of Dragonstone and Lyanna of the House Stark are one heart, one flesh, one soul. Cursed be he who would seek to tear them asunder."
"Look upon each other and day the words," he ordered.
Lyanna turned to the prince who looked at her with eyes of contentment. Together they said:
"Father, Smith, Warrior, Mother, Maiden, Crone, Stranger..."
"I am his and he is mine..." Lyanna said proudly.
"I am hers and she is mine..." he harmonized.
"From this day, until the end of my days."
Everything seemed to quiet then. Not even the rush of the water or the chirping of the birds filled Lyanna's ears. She just looked longingly into the eyes of the man she was marrying as he did the same. Lyanna could never get tired of gazing into his eyes. They were like a window to knowledge and the heart itself. A deep pool of purple that when Lyanna dived in, she could never swim out.
"With this kiss," Rhaegar said quietly, "I pledge my love."
Bursting with joy, Lyanna angle her head so that it was easier for her prince to place the binding kiss onto her lips. It was short, but sweet and it left Lyanna longing for more.
The rest of the day seem to float around her. Her hand never seemed to leave Rhaegar's. Not that she remembered. They finished it off by taking things over a bit with the castle occupants. When she was offered food, she couldn't take more that a nibble.
All she could think of was the warmth of Rhaegar's heart, the curve of his lips, and the crown of winter roses.
It was dark when he led her up to the room she had slept in the the past few days. She could here the coyotes howling in the distace from the open balcony where they walked together, hand in hand. No words were said between them.
They stood silently by the sandstone railing as not two, but one soul. As his violet eyes reflected the starry sky, Lyanna's own gaze never left his face. He was like the moon with his bright, white beauty and mysterious nature. Only here, alone, and meant to be, when she reached out, she would be able to touch him.
She was not afraid like she thought she would be. She was comfortable and would rather be no where else. The night air was cool and crisp in the oasis, but the dragon prince held her close, warming her to the core.
It was maybe a hour before any thing was said. Lyanna could not have known. She was far too lost in the sky of stars, though she wasn't sure where the purple sky ended and where her prince's eyes began.
She was a song, she realized. The ones with the knighted prince and the fair lady who fall in forbidden love. Only she was doubtful that it would end as happily.
She felt his warm hand come over her hair, sending chills through her entire body. Lyanna looked up at him. His eyes had broken away from the sky and peered down at his wife. "Would you like to go to sleep, Princess Lyanna?" he asked her in his melodic voice. Sleeping not what Lyanna quite had on her mind.
Lyanna gave him her answer when tilted her head up and angled her lips for him to kiss her. Closing his eyes, her husband dipped down and pressed his soft lips to hers, taking in her compassion and strength. He wrapped his hands around her small waist and Lyanna pressed her hand on his chest, trailing lower. Before she reached his belt, Rhaegar grabbed her hand.
"We don't have to, my love," he promised in a whisper. "Not yet."
Lyanna shook her head. "It's okay."
He shook his head slowly. "I know that..." he trailed off. "I know that you already understand, but we haven't discussed."
"What, Rhaegar?"
"You have your honor, I have already given mine away to Elia. I do feel quite uncomfortable taking your maidenhead when I am not a virgin myself. I know now we are married and we must-"
"I am quite sure you are the only man in the entire realm who would worry about that. None are as good as you, and none keep their honor long. But you were good to Elie. You pledged yourself to her. She has given it back to you by name of the Gods," Lyanna said, stroking his handsome face. "Now you can give to me what you've given to her, as I give what I have to you, my fine husband."
Rhaegar nodded, understanding. "So I have your blessing?"
Lyanna interlaced her fingers in his and brought his hand up to her breast. "People will try and tear us apart. If it goes unconsummated, then it will be all the more easier. Our child will lead the living against the dead," Lyanna reminded softly. "Now kiss your wife, Prince," she ordered as she moved her hand off his that slowly began doing what she wanted it to and moved hers back to her belt.
"I love you, Lyanna Stark." he breathed, picking her up and carrying her off the balcony into the room. As he laid her down on the plush bed, Lyanna giggled and added to his statement: "of House Targaryen."
The night was sweet and special, quiet and lovely. Everything was happening the way it was supposed to happen. Even if it was deadly to the most innocent, it was fate. And the crown of winter roses was finally secured. Would they wither or thrive? Or would they just bleed like everyone else?
END OF ACT ONE
A/N: Heeeeyyy. They union has been made. What a chapter!! Idk if many of you like Lyanna x Rhaegar. I definitely don't. I don't like her and Robert either so idk. But anyway, I'm rereading A Song or Ice and Fire and I'm going back and filling in details that I forgot about. You may want to backtrack and reread the last Jaime chapter. I added some more characterization for the kingsguard and Jaime.
Next is a heeeaaaavvvyyy Eddard chapter so be ready.