Lyanna knew the exact moment when her brother made sense of her husband's words. Far from sharing any mind-reading capacities, the she-wolf rested her knowledge on the fact that she was Brandon's sister and was intimately acquainted with the way his mind worked. It started with a subtle flicker in his eyes, then the tense muscled eased in disbelief. His lips parted in a poor imitation of speech, but no sound came out.

There was a moment of silence between them all. Lyanna would have been much pleased for it to last longer, but, as her luck would have it, it didn't.

"What?" Brandon spoke loudly, finally managing to shake himself out of his stupor. It was clear to Lyanna that he could not believe it. Though she knew not why. The scenario was not that far-fetched. "With whose leave?"

"Father's," she snapped at her oldest brother without a hint of remorse. "And this is not a tavern, so I should thank you not to yell."Then, conveniently forgetting about Brandon and his rage, Lyanna turned her gaze to Ned. "And what of you, brother? Surely you knew better."

Ned had the grace to look chagrined. "I was going to stop him," he murmured, the glared towards Arthur Dayne whose was mirroring him. "He was the one in the way."

"Of course I was, fool," bristled the Kingsguard. Lyanna exchanged a look with Rhaegar and was quite surprised when her husband declined to cut in. "Should I have just allowed you to force you way in?"

"Aye," Brandon barked.

At the very same time, Ned sullenly informed the Dornishmen, "I was trying to stop my brother."

"You mistake me," Arthur promptly replied. "The punch was for my sister."

And just like that, Lyanna managed to make sense of the brawl outside the bedchamber. Brandon, naturally, had come for her, because, to be frank, he didn't know any better, nor had the necessary capacity to rationalize. Ned had been dutifully trying to avert the conflict, yet Arthur, by now in possession of the knowledge upon the mystery knight's identity, felt the need to assault the younger Stark. And he had done it for his own sister.

Lyanna would have laughed, she truly would have, if the situation was simply not insane. Instead, she pressed herself into Rhaegar's side to hide her amusement as her brother and the noble ser Dayne started arguing over who was at fault.

Far be it from her to interrupt such a display of concern for sisters and hearts and honour. Brandon, however, had no such compunction. Rhaegar had remained silent, no doubt enjoying he entertainment before them as if it were a piece of mummery, which it easily might have been with all the dramatics.

"I will take this before the King, Brandon warned, after the other two had finally grown quiet. "You may be the Prince, but you are not above the King's judgement."

"There is nothing the King can do," Rhaegar assured his good-brother, "but if that be your will, I shall gladly appear before the King."

He might have said more, but Brandon's whole face exploded in a sea of red and he whirled around with a violent curse, staggering away.

They did not have long to wait.

Despite what he had said, Rhaegar had no particular whish to appear before his father. Alas, it could not be avoided. The King did need to be made aware of his son's matrimonial state. The sooner, the better, of course. One could only hope that his father was in a pleasant enough mood. Most of it, however, depended on Joanna Lannister and how she managed with her own husband. Rhaegar rather hoped that Tywin Lannister was as susceptible to his wife as rumours said.

The truth of it was that, at some point which Rhaegar did not care to remember, but which his mother assured him was not that long ago, Tywin Lannnister had entertained some interesting notion of having his daughter betrothed to the Crown Prince. The King had put any such idea out of his Lord Hand's head and, as a result, Tywin hastily had his daughter betrothed to Prince Oberyn Martell. After all, a prince was still a prince and it was better than a mere lord.

However, some whispered that the Lion of the Rock had never quite forgiven his former friend for the insult dealt. His lady wife, on the other hand, was eminently more suitable for adapting. She had embraced the opportunity to see the Houses Lannister and Martell come together and was not at all daunted by the King's refusal. In fact, one could speculate that Joanna had been waiting for such an outcome and even encouraging it.

Certainly she bore Rhaegar no ill will. As such, her help was invaluable in an instance such as this. And he was not too proud to ask for it.

On his arm, Lyanna sucked in a sharp breath. "Are you certain, Your Grace, that the King won't have both our heads?"

"I am certain on nothing where my father is involved, lady wife?" he replied lightly. Lyanna tensed nonetheless. "With enough care we shall escape his wrath."

As summons went, the King had been entirely mild in delivering his. He had simply called for them. There were no chains, no threats, no blood spilling. That put his son much at ease. So, he simply walked to stand before his parents, Lyanna close to him. Worried as she might have been, it came as a surprise that she did not lose her head.

The Prince dared a look to the sidelines. He caught the eye of Lady Joanna who gave him a subtle nod and would have looked at Tywin Lannister as well had he not been on the receiving end of speech from his father. Much as he would have liked to ignore the man, he could not.

"Is it true what the Stark heir is saying?" the unkempt crowned madman barked, beady eyes shifting from his son to the woman on his arm. "Have you taken Lord Stark's daughter to you bed?" His father did not seem upset. It was rather amusement that shone on his face. Rhaegar preferred not to know why.

"To my knowledge, sharing a bed with one's spouse is not a crime, Your Grace," Rhaegar began. "And as Lady Lyanna is, in fact, my wife, I see no problem with our conduct."

"Wife?" it was his mother who asked the question. Hope was etched on her features.

"If His Grace is speaking the truth," Tywin Lannister intervened, sly as a snake, "then there must be witnesses to this supposed feat." Exactly what Rhaegar had been waiting for. In fact, his father looked about as eager as Rhaegar felt. It had been wise of him, after all, to count of his parent's wish of thwarting the Lion.

"I could name a few," Rhaegar allowed, an almost-smile upon his face. "With Your Grace's permission," he requested of the King, whose only answer was a nod. "Lady Lyanna's brother, Eddard Stark, Lord Whent, Ser Arthur Dayne and, his sister, Lady Ashara, Ser Jonothor Darry, Lord Jon Connington and our own Lady Joanna here with us."

The King looked malevolently gleeful. "And tell me, Lady Joanna," he addressed the last of the witnesses, more to needle his nemesis more than anything else, "did the event proceed in such a manner as would make it binding."

Lady Joanna, never a shy creature, was more than pleased to confirm the matter for the King. "Aye, Your Grace. I myself bore witness to the septon's word and the vows exchanged. All binding customs have been observed."

Turning his gaze to a very pale and visibly disturbed Brandon Stark, the King let out a shuddering chuckle. "It seems that there is nothing to be done. Your sister is to remain in my son's keeping. Little change of your father wanting her back, boy, now that she might as well be carrying."

Lyanna flushed at the King's indelicate manner, bit held her mouth shut. It was possible indeed that she might be with child. Who was to say? The most important matter had been settled. Now all that was left to do was make an announcement. A proper one, as it were.

Once dismissed from the King's sight, the two newlyweds strolled into the hallway, barely managing to keep from expressing their joy for the success of their plan. Brandon, who had followed close behind, stopped at Lyanna's side.

"Since you are the one who has made this decision on your own, sister mine, you may break the news to Robert yourself." That rather cut from the joy of the moment.

Lyanna though would not be cowed so easily. "There is little need for that, Brandon; I trust there will be an announcement to let all and sundry know."

Her brother looked ready to argue, but he was stopped when, from out of nowhere, a young maiden dashed past him, upsetting his balance. Without a modicum of decorum, Shaena threw her arms around her good-sister and made a sound of what could only be approval.

Upon her heels a visibly thunderous Cersei Lannister was approaching. She too took no notice of the beleaguered Stark, yet had much to say to the she-wolf. Most of it was accusations. "What manner of gratitude is this? You wed and tell me nothing? I had to find out from my own lady mother." The lovely Melara was infinitely calmer, but also full of questions.

For his own part, Rhaegar managed to side-step the stampede and had abandoned Lyanna's company for Arthur's, who was trading quips with one Ned Stark. He would undoubtedly find a moment to rescue his lady wife. But this was not it. The gods only knew how she could endure all the attention. Although, truth be told, she looked fairly pleased.

A/N: End of line, kiddies. Hope you had fun.

Also, if there is still any one of my readers who doesn't know. I'm nearly done with my stories and this account will soon no longer be functional. Just wanted to make sure you all knew. Now that you do, bye, bye, dears.