A/N: Thank you to everyone that has read and reviewed. It feels so good writing again. So everyone knows this will be a complete AU. the timeline and what happens will not be up with canon just so everyone is aware. Things that have happened in Canon may happen, though a little bit differently, but at different dates and times. Also may have figured out Robert will be different so also his and Cercei's relationship will be different, atleast at the beginning. Joffery, Myrcell, and Tommen will still exist and will still be Jamie's children, though. Joffrey will be a couple of Years Younger though.
Aemon the Dragonwolf
Chapter 2: The Birth of the Dragonwolf
North Dorne 283 AC
"What sort of things do we need to talk about, Prince Oberyn?" Robert asked through gritted teeth. Not liking how The Viper was trying to dictate the conversation.
"I overheard when your men were talking. They said something about you 'A promise to Rhaegar'. And the fact that when my sister, and my niece and nephew, were presented to you why you were angry with the Lannisters." Oberyn focused very hard on Robert trying to figure him out.
"And why would you want to know that? what does that have to do with the location of my sister." Ned butted in.
"It has nothing to do with the location of your sister, only what you would do when you find her."
"Why would you care what we would do? That is my sister! You think I would harm her?"Ned yelled as he stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over in the process.
Oberyn rolled his eyes. "It's not what you would do Stark," he said before nodding his head to Robert. "It's what he would do."
"What should I do?" The king asked with wide eyes. "I would never hurt my betrothed. I love her. And you never answered Ned's question. Why would you care? Wouldn't you hate her for what happened at Harrenhal?"
Of course he brought up Harrenhal. He still remembers the silence of the crowd when Rhaegar passed over his sister to crown Lyanna. Like Doran said I don't have to like her, but I will fulfill Elia's wish of protecting her and her child.
"We received a letter less than a month ago. A letter from Elia. She sent it after Aerys made her return to the city when she was trying to escape back to Dorne. I will not tell you everything in the letter. You probably will learn in time anyway. But I will say that she asked me and Doran to help your sister."
The two non-Dornishmen sat there for a few moments stunned but also confused. Why were a princess, a wife, wish to help a woman that had basically shamed her in front of almost all the nobles of the realm?
"Why would the princess ask you to help my sister?"
"As I said, Lord Stark, in time you would understand why? But if you want to know the location of your sister then I need to know what the promise that Robert made to Rhaegar was." Oberyn said with a finality that made the two other men not want to question him further. They had a choice, it was a very easy choice to make though, tell The Viper what the promise was and they would find Lyanna, or Don't and continue on this never ending search with no clue where to look.
"Tell him, Robert." said Ned. He didn't even see the issue with telling the Dornish Prince anyway, Elia was his sister. Robert basically promised to help save Oberyn's family, even though they failed and didn't get their fast enough.
Robert sighed, "Rhaegar told me that he never kidnapped her, among other things that I don't understand. But he said to listen to her when I found her. Before I killed him, he asked me to save his family. I promised him I would. Wouldn't have been a difficult promise to make anyway. Princess Elia and her children were innocent and she did not have to die." Robert looked distraught. Oberyn could he that he meant that he would save them. But then what happened? Why is Elia dead? What was it about the Lannisters? Before he could ask Robert continued
"A few days after the battle, while we were tending to our wounded and cleaning up, we received word that Tywin Lannister and his forces were heading toward King's Landing. We knew we had to get to the city before them. I was wounded so Ned took the forces and headed to the capitol."
At that, Lord Stark took over. "We didn't make it in time. When we got to the city the gates had already been opened and the Lannisters were looting the city. I found Jaime Lannister sitting on the the cleaning the blood off his sword. He had stabbed Aerys in the back."
"A few days later…"Robert started talking again. "After I was crowned king we had court. That was when Lannister men brought in three bodies covered in Lannister banners. When I looked under them I was both furious and disturbed that someone could do that to an innocent woman, and especially children."
Both Ned and Robert could see the tears threatening to fall from the Prince's eyes. They felt for him. Ned knows how it is to lose a sibling.
"I sent the bodies to be taken care of by the silent sisters and to be sent to Sunspear. They should have arrived by now. I will not say the details of what I saw. I didn't even see everything as I quickly put down each banner."
"No, I need to know. When they arrive in Sunspear we won't be able to see completely what has happened because their bodies would be treated by the the Silent Sisters."
Robert sighed and Ned looked worried. "For Elia's body her head looked partially crushed and her clothes had been almost completely ripped off." Robert said, his eyes getting misty. "You could probably guess what happened."
Oberyn started crying now. Ned went to his side and put his arm around his shoulder to try and comfort him. He thought his sister had been kidnapped and raped so he knows what Oberyn was feeling.
Oberyn was beyond furious. But he was more hurt right now. He still hadn't come to grips with his beloved sisters death. But to find out she was raped was mind numbing. Elia was the sweetest woman in the world. She loved everyone and always tried to see the good in anyone she met. She did not deserve to die. And she definitely did not deserve to suffer and be raped.
After a couple minutes he finally calmed down from his crying to be able to hear the rest. He wanted to know everything. So when it was time to strike back at those responsible he would know everything.
"Thank you, Lord Stark."
"Please, call me Ned. I know a bit of what you are feeling, I believed my sister was kidnapped and raped. My father was burned alive and my brother strangled himself trying to get to him."
"I'm sorry about that, Ned. Too bad the one responsible was not killed by your hand. You did not get the revenge you deserved." Oberyn told the Warden of the North.
"Aerys is dead. That is all that matters to me."
"What of my niece and nephew? What happened to them?"
"The girl, Rhaenys I believe, Looked like she was stabbed many many times. I could not count how many times since I did not look that long. There was an outrageous amount of blood, though.
Oberyn's fury grew. She was only three namedays. Who is that disgusting stab a three nameday old girl many times?
"The babe had his head crushed in. There was almost nothing left. That's all I could tell."
At this, Oberyn jumped up, pointed at Robert and yelled. "I want Justice! Whoever did this to my family deserves punishment worse than death!" Ser Barristan ran in with his sword drawn when he heard The Viper yell.
"At ease, Ser Barristan. Everything is alright."
"Of course, Your Grace." The old knight said putting his sword away but not taking his hand away from it.
"Prince Oberyn unfortunately there is nothing I can do now." Oberyn was about to yell at the king again but he raised his hand to let him continue. "To all of the nobles in the court and the realm it is just considered a misfortune of war. But I promise you…..one day you will get your revenge I swear."
"As long as I am able to avenge my sister then I will not complain, but I want to know who it was."
"We aren't for certain who it was. But we believe it was the mountain, due to Elia's and her son's skulls being crushed."
"Do you believe it was on the orders of Tywin?"
"He denies it but I believe it was. I will have Varys look into everything. When I get back."
"Thank you." Oberyn said with a smile. His red eyes still had some tears in them, but it was good to see him smile. "And forgive me, for I completely misjudged you."
"Not to be rude," Ned butted in. "But you had the whereabouts of my sister." Ned forced in.
"Yes I do, now that I know what happened and what your promise was I feel good about giving you the location of Lady Lyanna."
Ned, Robert, and Ser Barristan were all quiet. They are all eager to find Lord Stark's sister so they can go home.
"Last week my brother received word that there were sightings of the three missing members of the Kingsguard at what is called the Tower of Joy. It is directly west of here at the northern edge of the Red Mountains."
"Then that is where we go. We will leave at first light after we break our fast." Robert said happily. Finally having a solid lead to Lyanna.
"Robert, This is Dorne shouldn't we be travelling at night?" Ned asked
"No, Ned, the Red Mountains are not as hot as the deserts. It is alright to travel through them during the day." The Prince told Lord Stark.
"Very well, Oberyn. Robert I will gather the men and let them know that we travel at first light."
With that, Ned left to go talk to Howland. And Ser Barristan went back to standing outside the door leaving the King and the Dornish Princess alone.
Robert poured Oberyn some wine and the both talked for almost another hour about the Kings battles and Oberyn's time at the Citadel and his travels in Essos. When Oberyn got up to leave the king decided to thank him for his help.
"Do not thank me yet. Just remember your promise."
"You will get your revenge, I swear."
The Red Viper just looked back at the King as he was about to walk out of the room. "That wasn't the promise that I was talking about, Your Grace." He said leaving the room and going to find his men to let them know about leaving in the morning to the Tower of Joy.
After the prince left Robert finished his wine and went to bed, too confused to stay awake after he tried to ponder the meaning.
When the Morning came both the Northman and Dornishmen broke there fast and met the King and Ser Barristan at the edge of the city with their horses already saddled and the supplies in their packs.
They greeted each other and made sure everyone was ready before they started their journey west to the Red Mountains. Prince Oberyn was leading them with the King and Lord Stark at his sides. Ser Barristan was right behind the King and Lord Reed was right behind Lord Stark. The five other Northman and nine Dornishman fell into stride behind them in no particular order.
It took a little over a week to get there. It may not be the Desert but it was still hotter than the Northman were used to. Their horses were not Sand Steeds and they definitely were not used to this climate. They didn't want to over push their mounts to exhaustion, if anything happened to them here then they were screwed.
Prince Oberyn and Lord Howland Reed got on well. Oberyn even went as far as to say he liked the little crannogman. Lord Reed told the Prince about Greywater Watch and how it was on a floating island at the end of the Green Fork in the Neck which Oberyn found fascinating. He told him how he learned to fight with a net and spear which Oberyn liked since he fights with a spear. Oberyn was surprised that there was no Maester in Greywater Watch. That they heal themselves and even use supposed magic from the children of the forest. Oberyn told Lord Reed that he would love to visit his home to which Lord Reed happily agreed. He told Oberyn how he was being picked on at Harrenhal to which the Mystery Knight of the Laughing tree was defending his honor since he didn't want to embarrass himself in competing.
"Now that I know you, I would've rode for you" Oberyn said. Which made the crannogman smile.
Oberyn then told Howland about Sunspear and the Water Gardens. He told him about the history of Dorne, and how they killed a dragon. Howland was fascinated with Dorne's history.
As they were approaching their destination on the final day of the journey they saw it in the distance. A small tower at the top of a hill. Tan colored stone used to build it was a contrast with the Red Mountains in the background.
Tower of Joy 283 AC
Ser Arthur Dayne was standing outside the tower watching as a group of what he counted as 17 men were approaching the tower. Although on the outside the great knight stood stoic and unbreakable, on the inside he was nervous. He had many questions running through his head. How did they find us so soon? Who is it? What will they do to the Lady or the babe? Could we take them all on? And many others concerning the welfare of Lady Lyanna.
His brothers, Ser Ozwell Whent, and Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower came to his side.
"We must defend her and the babe at all cost, brothers." Ser Gerold said.
"Agreed, Lord Commander."
"Can you see who it is?"
As he looked closer and the party got closer to them he was able to tell that there were Northman, and Dornishman. One looked like Lady Lyanna's brother, The silent wolf they called him. Another he could tell was Prince Oberyn. Why would the Prince be riding with the Usurper? He is the reason that Princess Elia is dead. He also saw a big muscular man wearing a crown with a knight with gold armor and a white cloak riding behind him. The Usurper? And don't tell me….no….damn that old man for he must have bent the knee.
"The Usurper is here. Along with Lady Lyanna's brother and Prince Oberyn." Ser Arthur said, much to the shock of the other two knights. "And Ser Barristan rides with them."
"Why would the Prince of Dorne be riding here with the Usurper?" The White Bull asked. "Shouldn't he hate him for the death of his sister."
"I'm not sure, brother. I'm more concerned with the fact that The Bold is riding like he is Robert's guard. He even has his Kingsguard armor on.
"What! He has bent the knee?" Ser Oswell asked
"It looks like it, brother. It appears our brother has switched sides." The Lord Commander said.
"He is not our brother. Not anymore." Whent said
Arthur looked at him, sighed, and shook his head. "Take it easy on him Oz. Rhaegar died and so did the King, what was he supposed to do? We were not there and he has not been here. He does not know anything that is going on here.
"He is right,Oz" Ser Gerold said. "We know not what happened away from here."
Whent knew he was right, but that didn't mean he didn't like it. He knew The Bold was the best of them besides Arthur.
Arthur broke the silence by telling the two men that he was going to speak to Lady Lyanna and tell her that her brother and Robert were on their way here. He walked up the stairs to the tower and when he reached the top he looked back over the horizon before knocking on the door.
One of the wetnurses/handmaidens that Rhaegar picked out for his new wife opened the door, Wylla he believed her name was. When he entered she had already started to go into labor. He could see the discomfort she was in. it was only in the beginning stages so there wasn't much pain. The only thing he feared was not having a maester on hand.
"Lady Lyanna?" the knight said with a bowed head
"Arthur, my knight, is everything alright?" she said with some pain in her voice.
"Your brother is almost here. He should be here within the hour." Her face lit up when he said that. Oh how she missed her brother. To know that she would see him before she passes. She knew she was going to die in childbirth. Rhaegar told her much of the visions that he had. She still chose to follow him. She would give birth to the greatest of warriors. The one that is supposed to save the living from the dead. She was scared to die but she, but as long as she saw her son and her brother she would be happy.
"That is great news, Arthur, I get to see Ned!" The Lady said more enthusiasm than her situation at the moment aloud. But she looked worried when she saw Arthurs frown. "What is wrong, Ser Arthur?"
My Lady, Robert is with him."Arthur said slowly, to which she sighed and looked down.
"He deserves to know. Hopefully Ned can keep him from overreacting". Or from hurting her or her son. She thought.
"Prince Oberyn is also with them, My Lady." The Sword of the Morning said. Still confused as to why he would be here. But Lyanna knew why, she knew that Elia looked at her like family now. No doubt she sent a letter to her brothers telling them the truth.
"Everything will be alright, my knight. Just please promise me you wont do anything rash. And I want to talk to my brother and Oberyn, and Robert if he is not a threat. He deserved to know the truth as well. I'll let you decide on that, though."
"Once your Labor is over I will send them up, My Lady." Arthur said with a bow before he left. He walked back down the stairs and went over to Oz and Gerold.
"Her labor has started, brothers. We need to defend her at all costs if necessary." he told them
"If necessary?" Ser Gerold asked.
"When her Labor is done she wants to speak to her brother and Oberyn."
"Not the Usurper?" Oz asked
"Only if we know he will not hurt her of the babe." Arthur replied
"Well then, we are to stall them as long as possible until the babe is born. Try to get answers and information on what has happened out of them." The Lord Commander ordered his two fellow Kingsguard.
"By your command, Lord Commander." They both said.
The three remaining members of Aerys Kingsguard waited at the base of the tower for another 20 minutes before they heard the pounding of horses coming toward them. As they got closer they were able to look over the party with better detail. They could see The Usurper at the front with both Lord Stark and Prince Oberyn at his side. Behind them was their former brother, dressed in his armor, and a small Northman they somewhat recognized from Harrenhal. Behind them were various Northman and Dornishman.
The Usurper and his men dismounted as the three Kingsguard walked toward them. It was a tense few seconds before any of them spoke. It was Lord Stark who broke the silence.
"We looked for you on the Trident." He said
"We were not there." Ser Gerold answered.
"Woe to your friend there had we been." Ser Oswell said. Robert got angry he took a step forward.
"If you were there, it would be your bodies that would've been sent back to your families. Not mine." The Stag King yelled out.
"Calm down, Your Grace. We are not here to find if we don't have too." Oberyn said trying to calm the King.
"When ser King's Landing fell, Ser Jaime slew your king with a golden sword, and I wondered why you weren't there."
"We were far away," Ser Gerold said, "or Aerys would yet sit on the Iron Throne, and our false brother would burn in the seven hells."
The Dornish prince stepped up beside Robert. "The mad king is part to blame in the death of my sister, Elia, and the children. If he were to still sit on the Iron Throne then Dorne would join the war against him. Any man willing to defend him is an enemy of the Martells." He spoke with such venom the three knights took a step back.
"The Rebels killed Elia and her children, not Aerys. Yet I see you on their side." Arthur answered back, pointing to the Usurper.
"The Lannister's raped and killed Princess Elia and the children. The city had already fallen when our army reached it." Lord Stark said.
"Aye, they were presented at my feet by the damn lions after I was declared king. I had their bodies immediately treated and sent back to Sunspear." Robert spoke with anger. The knights could see he was telling the truth. That he not only, not killed them, but that he was actually disturbed by it. They thought he would hate the Princess, and especially the children for being Rhaegar's family. It was said that he hated the Targaryens.
"He tells the truth, brothers." Ser Barristan said. But before they could tell their former brother off Lord Stark started talking.
"After things settled down, we came down on Storm's End to lift the siege," Lord Stark told them. "And Lord Tyrell dipped their banners. He and all his lords bent the knee and pledged us fealty. I was certain you were among them."
"Our knees do not bend as easily as our former brother's does." said the Sword of the Morning. They could see Ser Barristan's face drop at being called former brother.
"Ser Willem Darry has fled to Dragonstone with your Queen and Rhaegar's brother. I thought you might have sailed with him."
"Ser Willem is a good man and true," ser Oswell said.
"But not of the Kingsgurd." The Lord Commander added.
"The Kingsguard does not flee, now or ever." Ser Arthur"
Robert stepped forward readying his hammer, causing Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell to ready their unsheath their swords.
"So it begins," Ser Oswell said.
"No," Robert answered. "So it ends." as he readied a strike at Ser Ozwell but stopped when he heard a ladies scream from the top of the tower.
"Robert, Stop!" Oberyn yelled. "We are not here to fight."
"What have you done to her!" Robert yelled
"As I said, Usurper, so it begins." Ser Oswell answered the new king.
"What are you doing to my sister!" Ned asked.
"She is giving birth, Ned." Oberyn said to Lord Stark, causing everyone to gasp.
"How do you know that, my prince?" Ser Gerold said. Everything they have done has been kept very secret. How would a prince of Dorne who has been in Sunspear since Harrenhal know that Lyanna was with child.
"Because Elia wrote my brother and I a letter. She told us the truth of everything. That Rhaegar never kidnapped Lyanna and that they married, becoming his second wife." when Oberyn said this a couple yells of "What!" came from Ned and Robert. "She told me and Doran to help her and the child. She considered them family and asked that we do the same. Which is why I am here."
When Prince Oberyn finished he looked around to see everyone's faces. Lord Stark had a bit of tears in his eyes. The three former Kingsguard and Ser Barristan had smiles on their faces, knowing how much love and care the princess had for everyone. Howland had a huge smile on his face as well, glad to see that his friend had people that cared for her.
Robert had a mixture of anger, sadness, and understanding on his face. Deep down he knew that Lyanna loved Rhaegar, and that he loved her also. It all made sense to him now. Why the Silver Prince told him to listen to her first. Why Rhaegar made him promise to save his family. Why Oberyn wanted to know what his promise to Rhaegar was. He loved Lyanna, and if she was happy then he would not get in the way. With his love for her he will protect her child, Ned's niece or nephew. He made a promise before he killed the prince and he failed with Elia and her children, he will not fail with Lyanna's.
Another scream came from the tower, this one the loudest and longest of the screams they heard. It sounded like something was wrong. She's in too much pain.
"There is something wrong." Howland said as he came forward. "She sounds like she is in too much pain. Is there a maester up there?" he could see his Liege Lord's face became concerned.
"No, Rhaegar did not trust a maester to come here." Ser Gerold said
"If she doesn't have a maester she will most likely die on the birthing bed." said Lord Reed.
"Didn't you say Greywater Watch does not have a maester?" Prince Oberyn asked
"Aye, but the crannogmen have learned the same healing techniques on their own that the maesters know. We have no need for one."
"Then perhaps you came help, Howland." Ned told his short bannerman.
Lord Reed shook his head. "It doesn't work like that, My Lord." he said with sadness. "It sounds like the birth is already over. I wouldn't need to be here a couple of days ago to make vials of remedies and prepare."
Ned tears started forming in his Eyes. "Can you go up there to check and try and help at least."
"If they would let me then, yes I will." Howland said while looking nodding toward the three knights.
Ser Gerold looked to Arthur who nodded. "Go ahead, my lord." Howland nodded before running up the stairs to help his friend.
After about 10 minutes he came out and yelled to the others that it was over and she was able to talk.
"Only Lord Stark and Prince Oberyn may go up." Said Ser Arthur. The two men started walking toward the stairs with Robert trying to walk behind them.
"Not you, Usurper." Ser Arthur said as he stepped in front of him.
"Why not?" he yelled "Let me see Lyanna!"
"After finding out the truth will you harm her?" Ser Gerold asked him with his hand on his sword.
"Of course not, I would never harm her. And I made a promise to Rhaegar before I killed him to save his family. I will keep my promise." When Robert told them about his promise to their prince they were still unsure.
"He tells the truth, Sers." Ned spoke from behind them. That caused them to relax as they looked back to Ned.
"Very well, Arthur escort Robert to Lyanna." The Lord Commander ordered the Sword of the Morning.
When they got to the top of the tower they were about to go into the room but Howland stopped them. "Before we go in I want to tell you that there wasn't anything I could really do. She is weak but she will be able to talk to you." He said with sad eyes.
"What are you saying, Howland. She will be okay, right?" Ned asked with a shaky voice fearing the worst.
"No, she won't. I'm sorry Ned."
Tears started forming in both his and Roberts eyes while Oberyn looked down.
"Don't yell or talk too loud." They all nodded before Howland opened the door and allowed them to walk in.
When they walked in the first thing they noticed was the smell of blood. Then they could see Lyanna on the bed, covered by the blanket. The lower half of her body was covered with blood and she looked very pale and covered in sweat.
"Lyanna" Ned said softly to his sister as he walked to the side of her bed. Followed by Robert, Oberyn, then Howland.
"Oh, Ned." She said weakly. "You're here. I'm so happy to see you brother."
"How's the babe?"
"He's perfect, Ned. His name is Aemon."
"Like the Dragonknight." Ned said
"Wolf, Ned. He has wolf's blood running through his veins. He's my little Dragonwolf." she said with pure joy that only a mother could have while looking at her child.
"Aye, if he's anything like you, then he'll be a handful." Ned said with a laugh. Remembering all the trouble Lyanna would always get into. As annoyed as he used to be and how sorry he would always feel for his parents and Lyanna's handmaidens he would love to have a girl just like her one day. A little she-wolf. Oh how his new wife Catlyn would hate it. She would try and make a lady out of her.
She laughed weakly. "Just don't let her put sheep dung in her brother's mattress."
"I'll never forget that."
Lyanna then looked to Robert, who had tears in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Robert. I hope you'll forgive me."
"There is nothing to forgive, my lady. The same reason why I fell in love with you was the same reason why you ran away. Ned always told me how wild and reckless you were." he said with a teary smile.
"Thank you, Robert. I see you have become king. Please let my son not have to hide who he is."
"He is your son and Rhaegars, and all of Westeros will know. We may have to hide him until he is old enough. It's the Lannisters i fear for. Especially now that I am most likely going to have to marry that daughter of the old Lion."
"What, you would still marry a Lannister?" Oberyn asked
"I'm afraid so." he said with his eyes closed. " She is the only daughter of a Lord Paramount that is of age, the only others are Lord Tully's daughters and they are both married. If I pick anyone else then there would be another war."
"He's right," Ser Arthur said.
"Then treat her well, Robert. Move on, find love with her. You need not let my memory keep you from being a good king and a good husband." Lyanna said with a pointed glare. Well, as much as she could in her weakened state.
"I..I will, My Lady." The king told her.
"Thank you, Robert. You need to find happiness." He nodded his head before she looked to Prince Oberyn. "My Prince, when I talked with your sister she told me great things about you and her brother." Oberyn came forward knelt down and held her hand. "I'm so sorry about what happened to her. She was an amazing woman."
He smiled at her. "She considered you family, my lady. She called your son her goodson. She asked that we look at both you and your son the same. So from now on, my brother and I are the gooduncles of Aemon.
"Thank you, my prince. You have no idea how much that means to me."
"Elia told me how fierce are, my lady, I'm sure my goodnephew will be the same way." He said to her, to which made her smile.
"I know he will be. Many will remember his name." Lyanna told them with love in her voice.
She then looked to her friend Howland. "Howland, you take care of them. Don't stay stuck in the Neck. help them take care of my boy."
"I will, Lyanna. I know he and my children will be great friends."
"And you stand up for yourself, you hear me?" He nodded to her with a smile. " I won't be there to be the Knight of the Laughing Tree again." Which made him laugh, but everyone else had their jaws open.
"Lyanna, you were the mysterious Knight of the Laughing tree?" Ned asked, still shocked.
"Of course I was, Ned. They were picking on Howland and I had to do something. Besides, how do you think I met Rhaegar? He was the one who found me. We talked for ages. That's why he crowned me. I think he found a way for the prophecy or whatever he said would happen. Elia couldn;t have anymore children so he thought if he took a second wife to give him one then it would make the three heads that he talked about."
"It makes so much sense now." Ned said, shaking his head.
"I'm sorry, Ned."
"There's nothing to forgive, Lya. You were defending your friend and much more came from it. It's not your fault though." Robert told her.
"Thank you, Robert."
Oberyn then looked to Howland and laughed. When the others in the room looked at him confused he spoke. "I told you if I was your friend before the tournament I would have ridden to defend you, but the mysterious knight was riding for you. This whole time it was the she-wolf and no one except you knew."
Lyanna laughed which caused everyone else to.
"Arthur, my knight." She said after everyone calmed down. The Sword of the Morning stepped toward the she-wolf.
"Yes, my lady?" He said
"Arthur, you may not like my request but i want you, Ser Gerold, and Ser Oz to be part of Robert's Kingsguard." Causing Robert, Ned, and Arthur to stand in shock
"My Lady, But.." The knight started
"No buts, Arthur." Rhaegar told me how King's Landing is a viper's nest, especially with him having to marry a Lannister. He will need all the help he can get."
"But, My lady. He ..."
"Arthur, don't do it for him, or even me. Do it for my son, I know Robert will do right by him. He may not be Rhaegar but I believe he will be a good king. But if the Lanniaster's take control then my son will not be safe."
"I...I can not speak for the others, my lady. But I swear to do that I will be the best of Robert's Kingsguard."
Thank you, my knight." Lyanna said
"Lyanna," Robert started. "I have to ask. Rhaegar talked about a Prophecy. He and, from what Oberyn told us, Elia believes your son is this Prince that was promised. What does that mean?"
Lyanna sighed knowing what will become of her son. The difficult path he must endure. "Ned, would you believe me if I told you that the Others are real?" She asked her.
"Lyanna but that is a Legend. A story for the kids." He replied.
"The Others were never wiped out, only defeated. They lie waiting to rise up against the land of the living, Ned." Everyone stood in complete silence, not sure whether to believe it or turn away from it. Fortunately they all believed it. "Rhaegar saw our son in a vision. He was holding a thin sword in his left hand and a sword with red flames in his right. He was battling a man made of ice. The man was blue and wearing a crown, Ned. It was the Night King. He's coming south.
Everyone didn't know what to say. At first they didn't believe her but now they did, and they were scared. They believed every word that she said.
"And Aemon is supposed to defeat this Night King?" Oberyn asked.
"That is what Rhaegar saw. He saw my son lead the forces against the the army of the dead."
"Then we must prepare Aemon, and the realm, to face the army of the dead." Howland Said.
"Aye, I agree." Robert said. "If Arthur and the others join me then when the boy is old enough he can come train under them."
"I want him to come to Sunspear and train with me, as well." Prince Oberyn said.
"Then when he is old enough he will go to the capitol to learn under the knights. Then when he completes his training he will go to Dorne to train under Prince Oberyn. How does that sound?" Robert said trying to find the solution that would be best for everyone.
"I agree with everything, sister. But will he be able to be raised as a Targaryen? There are those that will not agree with his parentage and will harm him. Perhaps even his own family for he will have a better claim even than his uncle that has sailed across the sea." Ned told everyone.
"He is my son, and he will know who he is. That is final." Lyanna said
"Perhaps until he is old enough to start his training I can raise him as my bastard son. No one will question it. And when he starts his training I will tell him who he is and when he completes it then all the realm will know who he is."
"That might work my lady," Arthur said.
"Very well, are we all in agreement?" Robert said.
A chorus of Ayes and Yeses filled the room.
"Ned, over in the corner is a chest that belongs to Aemon. Can you bring it here? Arthur and Howland went over to get it and brought it back. I will not tell you everything that is in this chest. They are my sons. But I will say there are letters that Rhaegar and I wrote to him in case we both died. When you tell him the truth, give it to him. The key is on the table."
Then Lyanna started to breathe harder. It was time, something Ned realized.
"Lya?" he said worried.
"It's time, Ned." she said back with a heavier weakness that she didn't have before.
"No, Lya." everyone could hear the desperation in his voice. Like if he said it then it won't happen.
"I don't want to die, Ned."
"You're not going to die." he turned to one of her ladies in waiting. " Get her some water."
"Listen to me, Ned." She made him look at her. "He is my son. You must protect him." When she said this Wyalla walked up to him holding a bundled up babe and set the babe in his arms. He looked down to the babe in awe as did all the others. Little Aegon had dark grey eyes, but if you look at them the right way you could see the hint of indigo. A little bit of dark brown hair sat upon his head. They all noticed that he had the Stark coloring.
Ned held her hand as the life slowly left her eyes. All of them, including Prince Oberyn, had tears in their eyes. Ned held the babe close. Little Aemon was the only thing that he had left of her. He looked down to the babe again. A Dragonwolf, how powerful would a boy be with the blood of the two greatest houses in Westeros? He knew that the boy would be the greatest of warriors.
After a couple of moments, they all went back down the tower to tell everyone what had happened. All of them men present swore to secrecy and to protect the boy. Arthur told Ser Gerold and Ser Oswell what Lyanna asked of them, and though they were hesitant, they agreed and pledged to be apart of King Robert's Kingsguard.
Lord Stark ordered a casket and a Wagon to be built from what materials they had to take his sisters body back to Winterfell. It took all of them about 3 days to make everything and be ready to ride back to King's Landing. The Party traveled on the Prince's Pass and when they got to the Boneway Oberyn and the Dornishmen split off from the group and headed for Wyl, so he could take his ship back to Sunspear. Lord Stark, The King, the four Kingsguard, Lord Reed, Wylla the wetnurse, and their five companions headed back to King's Landing. While my men were sad that they lost Lyanna, they were also happy. Happy that they have a Dragonwolf to take North with them.
A/N: Thank you to everyone for reading, I hope you liked the chapter. I had intended to end when they got back to Winterfell but the Tower of Joy scene was longer than I originally intended it to be. Plus I have a different plan with the Winterfell scene and the Greyjoy Rebellion than I first thought of. I would like to hear your reactions or things that you would like to see happen. If you don't want to put it in a review and would rather PM me then please feel free to do so. Criticism is wanted as it will help me.
As you can see Aemon will be trained by the Sword of the Morning, The Bold, The White Bull, Ser Oswell Whent, and The Red Viper and maybe a little by Ser Jaime Lannister. So he will become the greatest of fighters.
Next up will be the wedding of Robert and Cersei and Winterfell.