King's Landing, 277 AC

In order to unite the North and South, King Aerys sent a raven to the Warden of the North. He intended to wed his youngest child Viserys to Lord Stark's daughter but Rhaegar convinced him otherwise. The fair prince believed in the Prophecy of the Prince that was promised and feared a threat from the Others beyond the Wall. An alliance with the North would allow him to do something practical against that threat, as Northerner would be the first one to believe in such cause. Dorne nor Casterly Rock would never believe him in that matter.

He was also convinced to be the Prince of the prophecy but after deep reflexions, he came to the conclusion that a child born from the ice and fire would be a great asset against the Others. A child with the first men's blood, from the North, and with the Old Valyrian blood from the Andals: a perfect mix. If Rhaegar could not be the prince of the prophecy, then it would be his son. Of course, he didn't need to voice that aloud. The Mad King was already paranoiac. As the North was always difficult to attach with the rest of the kingdom, it was best if they seek an alliance with the North and Dorne. Princess Elia was already betrothed to Jamie Lannister, heir of Casterly Rock. His twin Cersei was pushed to be a pretendant for Rhaegar but he knew the King will never allow Tywin's daughter to be the future Queen. So it was decided that Rhagegar should wed Lyanna Stark when she would reach her fifteeenth nameday.

Casterly Rock, 278 AC

Tywin Lannister was solemnly drinking a good dornish wine while planning his next move. Jamie was destined to wed a Martell. A solid alliance, he thought, Dorne is a powerful and unpredictable ally. But Tywin wanted the Iron Throne, he be will faced with a new obstacle in his quest. A prudent king is more a threat than a mad King. Rhaegar Targaryen was beloved by all: small folks, lords and ladies were wooing after him; knights admired him, soldiers respected him. Even the Faith was content with the Prince. That complicated everything.

Aerys has rejected Cersei's hand for his heir, saying the Prince was already betrothed to the Stark girl. Tywin didn't really get the insistence of the Prince to strengthen their alliance with the North. He could understand Aerys' desire to enrage him but he couldn't fathom the Prince's intentions. Was it infatuation? As he recalled, Rhaegar and the Stark girl had never met before. But the Prince was foolish enough to fall in love and sing those heart sicken and boring songs about fate and love. The Bard King they call him. If the Crown Prince wanted to waste his time, then so be it. Cersei was renowned to be the most beautiful girl in the Seven Kingdoms.

If the Lannister gold didn't appeal the Targaryen, so be it. He will find a way to make them pay back. A Lannister always pays his debt. And Cersei will be queen one day, her children will be the first of a long dynasty of Lannister in the throne. Yes, that will be; he vowed to himself, finishing the last gulp of wine.