Next up is a Robert Baratheon Chapter, be sure to tell me what you think of this one, or if you have any Questions.

There was no beauty to Harrenhal, and while the Whents could throw a tourney, decorate the caste with the heraldry of every great lord in Westeros, even throw a feast which could impress any lord no matter how great or small, an inescapable feeling of gloom pervaded the castle and its inhabitants.

Darkened lopsided towers cast shadows over the tourney grounds, and the cracked moss-ridden stone only serve to remind the guests of the futility of standing up to Targaryen rule.

Elia, of course, needed no reminding. Years spent in the court of Aery's the Mad forced an unfortunate realization upon her. Elia had limited influence in court, and managing Westerosi politics was beyond her scope. Even her husband rarely heeded her word, and that started long before the Stark girl got in the way.

She smiled grimly at the thought and walked across the battered fortress with a singular destination in mind. Her Uncle Lewyn a few short steps behind, deadly as a viper, and bright as the sun in his shining White Armor. He would be her only company for this little trip, and her sole companion for the long journey back to King's landing. Ashara decided to leave without her, departing with the Baratheon party along with her betrothed back to the City, going long before the King's party. Rhaegar would also not be accompanying her. He had been avoiding her like a whore with the pox since crowning Lyanna.

She couldn't blame Ashara for leaving her behind, Elia wanted her friend to be happy with her "Ned" while she could, and besides, the Baratheon party was originally going to depart along with King's until it became clear that the Royal group would not be ready to leave for a few more.

The reasoning for the King's delay was simple; his servants were happy to take their time, even though Aerys stated his desire to leave at first light. After all, no one ever rushed to follow the mad man's orders when blame could be avoided. The idea that he couldn't burn everyone made the foolish brave if even for a moment. None would dream of disobeying the King back in the Capital, but here in Harenhal, where the word treason was on every lord's lips, the chambermaids and cleaners could have their petty revenge without fear of reprimand, at least for the time being. When the party found its way back to King's Landing, someone would burn for this. She had no doubt.

Still, that gave her time to run one last errand; one Elia had been putting off for far too long. Honestly, Elia was going to skip it altogether, but with the delay, and without Ashara to keep her company, she had no excuses.

The Stark tents were easy to find, no other High Lord would decorate in such dull greys and with unornamented banners, in the proverbial circus of tents in the courtyard, the Starks stood out because of how little they decorated. That was not necessarily a good thing either, If lord Rickard truly wanted to be seen as a player in the Game, and his actions seemed to suggest he did, he would have to learn to appear as something more significant then a pauper in public. It was hard enough to take the Stark's seriously as it was, none of them had left an impression on the southern nobility this tourney. Brandon Stark having lost in the first round of the Tourney to Barristan the Bold. Rickard had not attempted to set himself apart from the other lords, although the rumors of his dealings with Lord Arryn and Tully were of some interest. The youngest child, whose name escaped her at the moment, wasn't worth mentioning. Eddard Stark had perhaps made the best impression, but that seemed to be more accidental than any intentional act to prove himself, and besides, his successes were only known to a select few at the moment. Regardless, he walked away from the tourney a Lord of the Stormlands and with the prettiest girl in Westeros on his arm. Regardless, the Starks as a whole were not considered worthy of discussion to most southern lords, with the sole exception of Lyanna Stark.

In front of the Stark tents, two fools stood guard. Both men were pale broad men who were quite plain looking. Nothing impressive in the slightest, but the fact they straightened as she approached, and the way they gripped their weapons, she pegged them above the average Gold Cloak.

"I've come to speak to Lyanna Stark," She told them simply, bringing her hands together in front of herself in the fakest presentation of joy she could muster. "Would you fetch her for me so we could go for a walk?"

"Lord Rickard has given the order that she is not to leave or to have visitors," The guard said, not meeting her eye. A smarter man would have said she wasn't present, but what could one expect from the uneducated guardsman.

"I don't believe I asked that," She said in a fake tone of sincerity, looking to her right, "Uncle, refresh my memory, what did I say?"

"I think you ordered these men to fetch the Stark Girl," Llewyn smiled lazily, despite his small stature, he was an intimidating man, and he had a reputation for skill at arms that would give even the most season knight pause. "I think it would be in their best interest if they agreed," he offered. It was an unstated threat, one that he couldn't follow through on, not without starting a war, one which would likely end with the death of the Dorne, but most guards wouldn't be smart enough to know that, the men before her were no exception.

"Quite right Uncle!" Elia cheerfully responded, and turned to the Northern guards, who wore grim expressions, gripping their weapons with newly unsteady hands. "So, you understand, correct?"

It was less than a moment later that the guards it was in their best interest to fetch Lyanna, deciding that their lives were worth more than their sense of loyalty. With their departure, Elia could allow herself to relax slightly.

Her false smile slipped from her lips, and she let out a sigh of relief. There were dozens of ways her plan could have failed. If Varys had been wrong with his information, and Rickard or Brandon Stark had been present, if the guards had been more informed, or if Lyanna Stark hadn't actually been under House arrest like the spider said, well, then she would have had to return to her tents shamefaced after embarrassing herself publically, that or come up with a new plan. However, it seemed as if her gamble had paid off in full. She would have her chat with Lyanna, and while the Starks could be angry with her, there was very little they would be able to do about it. Winterfell was a far place from King's Landing after all. In the end, word of this little incident would spread, Elia would make sure of it.

It would show the nobles in King's landing that the name Elia Martell was still one to be feared, even without direct support from Rhaegar or her bastard father in law. Ashara would, of course, be a bit annoyed with her, but well, that was a problem for another day.

A few minutes had passed in relative silence before Lyanna appeared before them without announcement, the guards seemingly dismissed. Her grey eyes showed wariness as she approached, much like a wounded animal, but her steps were steady and without a sign of hesitation. The rumors were undoubtedly true in some regards, Lyanna was as brave as she was beautiful.

Lyanna wore plain grey clothes, more fitting for the bastard offspring of a poor knightly house then for the daughter of a Lord paramount. It was clear to see that she put little effort into her appearance, wearing the minimum amount of makeup needed for her status, and her hair straight down. There was a beauty to Lyanna that was difficult for Elia to describe. Even in her gold-threaded dress that left her shoulders bare, her hair done up in a fanciful reach style adored by the ladies in court and accompanied by a knight of the Kingsguard, she still felt plain.

She felt comforted by the fact that almost any woman would, only Ashara and Cersei Lannister could genuinely rival Lyanna's beauty, but even then, Elia knew how hard those two worked to maintain it, Ashara and Cersei both dressed in the most elegant clothes, and took time to keep up with court fashion, all so they could wield their beauty as a weapon as all woman were trained to do. This very morning, Elia had seen Ashara wake up with the sun to have her hair braided in such a way that her beloved would take notice on their ride to King's Landing.

Lyanna didn't seem work for it all, nor did she seem to care about appearances, and it made her all the better in comparison.

"Would you care to join me for a walk? Elia offered Lyanna while putting on an air of Queenly authority

"I could be mistaken," Lyanna eyed her uncle Lleyn with a distaste, and a look of acceptance in her grey eyes, "But I feel as if I have no choice in the matter."

"My, you really are an observant one," Llewyn joked, and Elia debated on giving a pity laugh.

"Thank you," Lyanna curtseyed in mocking way, "I'm told I get it from my aunt, one of the good ones I hope." She gave a small smile, but she still seemed rather gloomy, reminding Elia of her brother.

"Shall we? Elia said, gesturing for the younger girl to follow.

Lyanna nodded her head, giving no vocal response, but indicating that she would follow. So Elia led them away from the tents, and instead started her walk towards the God's wood

It was silent for a time as they continued their stroll, the eyes of many of the residents of the castle on them. Lyanna seemed uncomfortable with the attention but kept her head held high, even if she stayed closer to Elia then strictly necessary.

"Listen," Lyanna spoke first as they entered the Godswood, her voice rather low, " I, didn't know the Prince was going to do that, I swear, the two of us had only one conversation prior to that, and it was him reprimanding me for the way I acted at one of the feasts. It was not my intention to cause you any trouble." Lyanna fumbled over words, this was a girl who was not used to apologizing, and it showed in her anxious movements. It was a complete turnaround from what Elia expected of the girl, and it helped to ease the nerves that started up when Elia had first taken in the girl's appearance, it was a bit surprising in truth, yet surprises barely fazed Elia at this point.

"I'm not here for that, in all honesty, I have nothing to fear from you." Lyanna looked at her with surprise. "I did not come here looking for a verbal spar, nor do I desire to go over something such as proper behavior, because in all honesty, if your father hasn't taught you that by this point, your hopeless." Elia had not meant for her words to sound so insulting, but she honestly didn't care much about offending the girl

Lyanna flinched away at that comment, and frowned, "Then why did you come?"

"I was getting to that. Patience is a virtue your father should have taught you." She couldn't help herself for that remark but still felt bad about it afterward, Lyanna was being somewhat polite about everything considering the circumstances. "I came to warn you, quite simply, and do keep in mind I'm not threatening you with personal violence." Seeing Lyanna nod her head in understanding, Elia continued, "stay away from Rhaegar, I understand what this must sound like, but you're in a rather precarious position at the moment."

"If you truly have nothing to fear from me as you claim," Lyanna spoke up, "Shouldn't you be having this conversation with your husband?"

"Careful girl," Llewyn cautioned.

"He is a prince of the blood," Elia grimaced, she felt a hint of rage begin to awaken with Lyanna's last comment. It had struck closer to the reality of the situation then she would like to admit, " If Rhagar decides to keep a mistress at court, there is little myself or anyone, not even Aerys could do to stop him."

In Westeros, A king, a prince, even most Lord Paramounts were expected to have a mistress or two. The old Gardener kings even used to have an official title at court for their favorite mistress. Of course, this wasn't the case everywhere. In Dorne, it was accepted for a lord to have a mistress for love and a wife for heirs, in the Stormlands it was much the same. In the Iron Isles, a mistress was not typically accepted, but concubines were a daily part of life from what she knew. Only the Vale and the North were against their lords having them, and in the North, that was more because wasting resources in Winter, for what was primarily a highly paid whore, would make any lord a laughing stock.

"Then find him one," Lyanna said, causing Elia to stare at her with some surprise. "I don't want Rhaegar, I want nothing to do with him if I can help it, but I..." Lynna looked away, and for a second, she almost seemed, afraid. " I don't know what to do," She said, and Elia suddenly reminded that Lyanna had not yet seen sixteen name days, that she was still a just a young girl, far too young to be embroiled in the politics of King's Landing. "I heard the stories, of Aegon the unworthy, the rumors of Joanna Lannister and Aerys, even of some of the crueler Starks when they still claimed the Winter Crown. If a king chases after a woman, no matter who she is, she can't refuse. If he finds someone else, a mistress to keep his attention away from me then we can all move past this."

There was a truth yo Lyanna's words, one that Elia did not wish to consider possible. Aerys was a madman, and Aegon was cruel, but Rhaegar was, well, just Rhaegar. He was kind and compassionate, a bit strange at times, but never cruel. She could not imagine him doing what Aegon had done, what Aerys might have done, it was out of the question. Yet..., she never would have imagined Rhaegar crowning another woman the Queen of Love and Beauty moons past. Elia had assumed that if Lyanna wasn't there to tempt Rhaegar, and if she didn't try to get close, then there was nothing to worry about. The idea that might not be the case, that Lyanna was more a victim in this than anything else, it made her uneasy.

"What you're suggesting is out of the question," Elia interrupted. "You are aware that you recommend I find a mistress for my husband, you understand that, right?"

"I heard the Dornish were ... um, open to that sort of thing," Lyanna looked at least embarrassed by her admitted lack of knowledge, a small shade of crimson dusting her cheeks.

Llewyn stared at her with a mixture of amazement and irritation. Mumbling something about men only being so lucky under his breath

"I didn't mean to offend," She blushed.

"It's fine," honestly, Lyannas displeasure with Ashara made a bit more sense now if she truly believed every Dornish was such a slattern. "The Dornish have a reputation for that sort of thing, but no Wife wants their husband to have a mistress." It happened of course, and sometimes the noble ladies even supported their husband on the endeavor, generally only if their health couldn't support it or even a few cases where the men in question were too large in a particular regard, or just incompatible personality wise with the wife. But Elia was not one to allow such a thing if she could help it.

Especially if what the Maester said was true, that this would be her last child. She knew how much Rhaegar obsesses over having three, and she could not risk being replaced.

It was not that she loved Rhaegar, Elia knew that she did not despite their years together. At the very least, she did not love him how the songs described, her heart did not go aflutter, and her steps did not feel lighter in his presence. However, he was the father of their children, and over the years, he had become a friend, a deeply valued individual she could always turn too.

Nowadays that seemed like a distant memory.

"You say you have no interest in him, and I believe you, I can't imagine you would pursue him on your own. However, if Rhaegar pursues you, it would be in your best interest to ignore him completely. Honestly, I wouldn't even tell your father or brothers about it, and certainly not your betrothed, it could spark an incident," One that would end with one of them dead or replaced, that was better off left unsaid.

"Not even Ned?" Lyanna questioned.

Right Ned Stark, a man who always seemed to overcomplicate things for her. "He is to begin his life in the capital. If he learns to dislike Rhaegar so early, it risks his chances of establishing himself in the south. Stormland lords like Jon Connington will act against him if he even things Rhaeagr dislikes him."

"I see," Lyanna deflated, perhaps realizing that whatever Rhagear did, she would be on her own.

"Ignore him, Winterfell is far, he will not pursue you past the neck," She hoped. She wasn't sure if Rhagar was even still pursuing her in all honesty, or if he even intended to pursue her in the first Place, Varys was tightlipped regarding this secret.

"Still, I never meant for any of this to happen, I, if something does happen, can I write you?" Lyanna seemed hopeful, so Elia was going to feel bad when she squashes those hopes under heel.

"No, I am afraid not. There are spies everywhere in the Capitol, whatever letters you send, could very well find themselves in another's hands." Elia almost felt bad about Lyannas borderline frightened expression, " After this, I can't imagine us ever talking again, and if we do, it certainly won't be under happy circumstances at least not until your marriage to Robert Baratheon."

Lyanna was silent, looking dejected and despondent, and Elia simply stared at her, hopeful to the girl was genuine about her lack of interest in Rhaegar.

"You both look so gloomy, worry not, everything will be fine," Llewyn said with a smile while prodding her on the shoulder her playfully. She couldn't help the small smile on her lips, and Lyanna offered one up as well.

Elia almost believed his kind words, and sincerely hoped Lyanna did as well.

Do tell me what you think, and thank you to all who read.