Hello. This is a revised version of the first chapter of my story. At my request beta corrected mistakes in this chapter to make it more encouraging by eliminating grammar mistakes. For those who started to read this story, it's AU scenario in which the Targaryens won the war with Usurper Robert Baratheon- however, briefly after the victory, Aerys II dies in mysterious circumstances and leaves the Iron Throne to his son, Rhaegar; in this scenario, Ellia Martell and her children are alive (Tywin ordered to kill them to prove loyalty to the new king; here the Targaryens won, so he didn't have to do such atrocity- he simply had no reason). This story begins 15 years after end of the Rebellion and while everything seems to be in order, tension is brewing.

This story has two main threads- the first one is Daenerys/Robb's love story and the second thread is purely political and it consist of Rhaegar's attempts to strenghten the power of the Crown. I hope that this beginning will encourage you to read. Enjoy !

Chapter 1

The unexpected encounter

Daenerys was walking slowly towards the Red Keep, feeling great excitement. The Capitol was always crowded with people but that time, it all was different. Her brother, king Rhaegar, threw a big feast celebrating the fifteenth anniversary of the beginning of his rule. As usual, lords from Reach, Stormlands, Dorne and Westerlands arrived to the capitol- they were either from the loyalist region or were living near the Crownlands. That year was supposed to be different because, in the spirit of reconciliation, the king decided to invite guest from the other parts of Westeros.

Thanks to that celebration, the girl could temporarily forget about her troubles. Dany was fifteen, which meant that she had to marry in the near future. She was successfully delaying that for some time by speaking directly with her brother but she knew that it wouldn't last long. Dany didn't know why, but the idea of marriage terrified her. She didn't want to be married or to leave the capitol, for that matter. And she knew that if she was married she would have to leave her home- as a princess, and the king's sister, she couldn't marry whomever she wished; her wedding would be a spectacular event because she would have to marry a powerful man from an influential family.

At least she didn't have to marry her brother, Viserys. Dany knew that he tried very hard to convince Rhaegar to let him marry her, but the king was adamant in that case (and, truth be told, Daenerys felt she owed a great debt to her oldest brother for forbidding that). The king stated clearly that he didn't want to continue the tradition of incest marriages because, in his opinion, it was the main reason for madness, which was common amongst the members of the Targaryen family. Even those words were not quite reassuring; she wasn't sure if, in the end, she wouldn't end up marrying Aegon, Rhaegar's son and heir. Marriages between siblings were a sin in the eyes of Seven; marriages between relatives, though, still existed. These traditions were more popular amongst the most powerful families so that the lands and wealth could stay as their property.

Lost in thoughts, the girl didn't notice that she was walking very close to the sea. After one quick moment and an incautious step, she fell into the water. She fought desperately to stay on the surface but failed- she really hated water (which is strange for a girl living by the shore). Dany started to drift away, thinking how terrible death is and that her family would be very concerned; then, suddenly, she felt a hand grabbing her, pulling up. After a quick struggle, she was lying on a ground and coughing loudly. It took some time for Daenerys to calm herself and look at her savior.

He was slightly older than her- he was 16 or 17, and quite handsome. He had thick dark red hair and blue eyes and she sensed that he was rather strong. At first, he was looking at her with worry but after a while he composed himself. Later on, he started to stare at her openly, making her blush.

She, on the other hand, wasn't surprised. Not once she heard that she was an exceptionally beautiful woman. She could be considered the most beautiful girl in the whole Westeros. Her silver hair, violet eyes, and her figure was the reason why she was an object of constant affection of many men. It really annoyed her, however, because it reminded her about the future; that time, though, she was oddly glad that the boy thought that she was pretty.

Soon after, the boy stopped staring at her, and it was clear that he was embarrassed. Finally, he said:

- Forgive me, my Lady, for watching. I have just never seen such a beautiful woman.

- Do not worry, it is not a problem. Thank you for rescuing me.

- You don't have to thank me, it was my duty. I would do anything to save you, even if you were a daughter of a peasant and didn't come from the royal family. Yes, my lady, it was quite obvious that you are a royalty - he added after a while.

Dany didn't know what to say so she keep staring at the boy. After a while she heard a shout and she saw the Golden Cloaks heading her way. The boy smiled at her and said:

-Well, it's time for me to go. Your guards will arrive soon so you don't need my help. Until the next time, my lady- he added.

-Wait!- Dany shouted loudly- What's your name?

The boy just smiled again and responded:

- It doesn't matter now but it's likely we meet again.

After that mysterious statement, the boy left her feeling astonished. The city watch found her and she was quickly back in the Red Keep.

She was greeted by gasps of relief by her relatives and she smiled. Her mother died in a childbirth and her father soon joined her mother; he was probably poisoned. Despite that she had never felt alone. She had two older brothers; the oldest one was Rhaegar and he was the king of Westeros, and the younger one was called Viserys. Additionally, there was Rhaegar's wife, Ellia of house Martell and their children: sons Aegon and Maekar and daughters Rhaenys and Visenya. Only Aegon and Rhaenys were, more or less, in her age but she never complained. Her brothers were significantly older and Maekar and Visenya were still children. In the end, however, she had a whole bunch of friends- like Margaery Tyrell with her cousins; there was also Arianne Martell with Sand Snakes- all of those girls lived in the Red Keep, making her life good and full of entertainment.

Daenerys changed clothes and ate and soon found herself in a better condition. She was questioned about what had happened. She told the truth: some young man saved her after she fell into the water. She also reported that after he made sure that she was all right, he vanished before anyone could recognise him. She tried to ignore curious looks of Tyene and Sarella Sand, Margaery and Arianne. She knew that they would never let it go but she realised she had other problems.

After her explanation, the girls sneaked over to her room and demanded to tell them everything and, especially, not to miss any "hot details" as Arianne put it. Daenerys had to repeat everything once more and when she finished Tyene said:

- I wonder who's that mysterious man...

- I told you before, I don't know! - Dany replied.

- Yes, but he's a highborn. Otherwise he would have been scared of you- Arianne claimed.

- Did you like him?- Margaery asked innocently.

- Yes, he was gentle and handsome...- Dany started but was quickly interrupted.

- So that's true!- Lilia Rowan shouted, she was one of Margaery's friend- Finally, Daenerys likes a boy and not pretend like the last time!

- We even started to think that you are interested in girls- Sarella Sand added. When she saw Daenerys's gaze she said:

- Don't look at me like that. Besides, even if it was true, Arianne and I wouldn't see anything bad in that but outside Dorne you would have to be cautious. You know that such relationships are abomination in the eyes of the Seven.

- What is more important, what will you do with that situation?- Evelyn Tyrell, one of Margaery's cousins, asked quietly.

-What should I do? I won't do anything- Dany replied. When she saw the disappointed looks of her friends' faces, she added:

-Just before he left he told me that it was very possible that we would meet again.

-If it's true you should- Arianne started but she was interrupted by the scolding voice of septa Lysa:

-Girls, enough with the gossip. Go back to bed! Tomorrow is an important day!

Dany just smiled, the unexpected arrival of her teacher saved her from further embarrassing questions. Young women went back to their rooms, smiling and giggling and Dany could finally rest. Unfortunately, her mind was still repeating the whole situation again and again, making her unable to go to sleep. Daenerys was intrigued by a mysterious young man. Who was he? Would they ever see each other again? Similar questions haunted her until she shook her head angrily. She was not like her love sick friends, and she couldn't be as infantile as them. However, it all couldn't stop her from wondering if she would ever meet him again.