The moon was high and darkness covered the sky as Lyanna made her way into the Godswood she had used as cover earlier that day. Since a stable boy could have possibly noticed one of the horses missing, she decided to make her way on foot using her small height to her advantage for stealth. Arriving by the heart tree, she surveyed the area for any of the king's men who may have followed her hoping to find the Knight of the Laughing Tree. The hairs on the back of her neck suddenly stood up as she heard rustling coming from the trees and bushes behind her, turning around quickly to face what was coming towards her.
"You got my message then?" A familiar melodic voice asked as Rhaegar emerged from the trees.
"Bit on the nose" Lyanna laughed.
"Well, I needed to get your attention" Rhaegar smiled as he leaned against the large heart tree. "You look beautiful."
Lyanna smiled and a pink colour flushed her cheeks, making Rhaegar feel a sense of success. She did care for him. "What did call me here for?"
"Do I need a reason to see you?" He smiled brightly at her.
"It's risky business, us meeting here alone."
"I find that when I am alone with you I can be myself." He spoke earnestly as he moved closer towards her, Lyanna becoming slightly apprehensive. "You know that you can be yourself around me too."
She smiled slightly, "I'm starting to…" a quiet response emerged from her as she continued to close the gap between her and the dragon prince. "When do you leave for the capital?"
"Two days. After the tourney champion is announced, the royal party will leave the next day. It could be worse, but the court would prefer to get underway." Rhaegar's tone was melancholy, a return to normal princely duties was awaiting him in the South. "I wasn't sure if I would be able to see you again before we leave."
Lyanna was unsure how to respond, "Everyone would be here tomorrow evening after the tourney has won."
"That is true, but I couldn't wait that long." She stood there staring at him. What could he be implying?
"Well, I'm here now. So, the Daynes know about the Knight of the Laughing Tree?"
"I trust Arthur with my life and Ashara I have known for years. They wouldn't tell a soul." He circled around her, walking towards a denser part of the woods. "I take it I was quite clear in my note?" He said in jest.
"You're not subtle, I'll give you that" Lyanna laughed slightly, "The Laughing Tree sigil"
Rhaegar turned to face her with a smile on his face, "Well only you would know."
"Benjen and Howland would."
"I assume you told them of what occurred?"
"Indeed. They know you helped me and honestly, they are pissed off." The two of them laughed for the second time again together. "Benjen in particular, 'what were you thinking?! You could have been killed!'"
"You know I wouldn't do that to you Lyanna" Rhaegar announced as he further closed the space between them.
There it was again. Lyanna. The way he said her name, the way his mouth moved as they were spoken, how perfect it sounded coming from him. Lyanna was not one to be easily impressed, but something was most definitely different. "After today I know Your Grace-"
"Rhaegar" he reminded her.
"I know, Rhaegar…" she spoke slowly. Her heart began to beat faster, and her face felt hotter as the prince took her hand in his. "Will you be jousting tomorrow?"
"Yes, but I believe I shall do better with your favour my lady" he smirked, implying his desire.
"Do you realise how stupid that is?" Lyanna was stunned at his request, "Should my family know I am here, I would never be allowed any form of freedom again. Imagine what the others would think!"
"Well, what if I was to wear it on the inner part of my tunic? Would you give me something then?" he continued to stare at her with a smirk as she contemplated his question.
"What would you want? My handkerchief?" Lyanna poked at him, but the blush emerging on her face betrayed her emotions, allowing Rhaegar to know she was embarrassed.
"I was thinking something a bit more intimate…" His hand caressed her face as if he was preparing to kiss her; however, he reached around to the back of her head and removed the blue ribbon holding two sections of hair together, now fell either side of her long face. Lyanna's eyes remained fixated on him the entire time. "With your permission?" she nodded and tucked it into his tunic.
"I must have lost it when I was walking"
"You must have indeed." Lyanna could not resist anymore, she grabbed the Crown Prince's tunic and brought his lips to hers. Rhaegar initially was shocked by Lyanna's boldness, but gladly responded, wrapping his arms around her small waist and pulling her body against his. The kiss began gently, but as they become more comfortable and confident the passion and intensity increased until Lyanna had to break the kiss in order to catch her breath. When she stared up at the Prince's face, the realisation of what she had just done hit her. "My sincerest apologies-"
"Lyanna, why are you apologising?" Rhaegar laughed slightly, astounded by her question.
"Because you are married, and I'm betrothed. I shouldn't have acted on impulse."
"Did I not reciprocate that kiss?"
"Well, you wouldn't want to be rude…"
"I reciprocated the kiss because I feel a connection with you, my lady. It's something I cannot explain, but all I know is how intensely I feel for you." With that, Rhaegar pulled Lyanna back into their passionate embrace, holding her tightly to his chest whilst his hands explored her hair and back. Her hands were locked behind his neck, not looking to break the kiss anytime soon. The two of them spent the night holding each in the Godswood, speaking of trivialities and Rhaegar telling stories he had read. Together, they were at peace; they did not need to play the role of prince and dutiful daughter but could be themselves. As Lyanna rested her head upon his chest Rhaegar began to sing to her, his sweet melodic voice relaxing her body into his as she could feel her eyes getting heavier.
The prince's eyes looked skyward, assessed the stars and the moon before gently shaking the she-wolf's body: "Lyanna, wake. Unfortunately, we must be going". Lyanna's eyes fluttered open to find Rhaegar directly above her.
"Must we?"
He laughed a little before responding, "We must. If not, people will begin to wonder where we have gone". Holding out his hands, Lyanna took them to assist in her standing up.
"Let people talk, it's all they ever do. You should hear the things people have said about me"
"Only good things?" He smirked slightly, knowing full well that was not the case.
"You know that is not true Rhaegar", Lyanna nudged him jokingly. He could see that she was trying to brush it off lightly, but the hurt in her eyes betrayed her. During Rhaegar's exploration of the tourney, he had overheard many women, including his own wife's handmaidens, comment on 'the she-wolf' and her wild ways. He reaches his hand to her face, pushing a piece of Lyanna's raven hair behind one of her delicate ears and gives her a soft smile. Lyanna's hand covers his as it lay on her cheek and kisses the palm of his hand, returning the smile. Rhaegar then took her hand in his as they strolled back to the camp, not speaking much but simply enjoying each other's company before they would have to part ways. Just before reaching the Stark tent, the dragon prince pulled Lyanna behind a large tree and kissed her deeply, extreme passion in every touch. Once they broke the kiss, their bright eyes met longing for more time together, but it was Rhaegar who recognised their time together was up for now.
"Goodnight, my lady", his hand lingering in hers as he moved away slowly.
"Goodnight, Your Grace", Lyanna's gaze not breaking with the figure of her lover as he disappeared into the night.