This is going to be a two-shot, so this is only part 1. Part 2 will be Winterfell and what happened to Daenerys, Viserys and Rhaella. A minor note- I take mostly from the books (hence why in ASoIaF) but Part 2 may or may not take a bit from the show, just as a warning.

The raven that arrived the morning that Jaime Lannister did brought more dark news. Dark wings, Dark words her father had once told her, over and over until it had become ingrained. And with this war, she found she could attest to that. The young Lannister had a face streaked with dirt, pale despite the sun's harsh rays having caused his flesh to redden and peel. He near collapsed, water depleted and given to the tiny girl clutching his robes. The babe in his arms still screamed for a mother that was never coming back. As did the babe in her belly, rolling with the nausea in her stomach as she read Ned's words.

Rhaegar is dead. Release my sister. The words were not Ned's though, she knew that much. They were Robert's in truth, written in her brother's hand from his wounds. Would Robert live too? Why was Jaime here, when Arthur had stated he had been ordered to protect those in King's Landing? Lyanna had thought it a cruel task to give a boy of six and ten, a task daunting even to the Sword of the Morning. And yet, here he was, doing the best he could.

"Arthur, give the boy some water," Lyanna ordered, taking the baby Aegon and little Rhaenys into her arms, kissing the little girl's head as she burst into tears. "It will be alright, little one. Get them something to eat would you, Wylla?" she asked the wet-nurse as Arthur hauled his fellow Kingsguard to his feet and dragged him to a chair. The young maidservant nodded, rushing to bring water and food for their three new guests. Rhaenys fussed only a little in the stranger's arms- she was crying too hard and too relieved to have found some relative safety to care too much.

"What happened?" Arthur asked Lannister when he had drunk some water. Lyanna thanked the gods that she was near enough to her time to provide some sustenance for the young babe. How Jaime had managed the journey she didn't know, and she was amazed the child had survived. True, he would soon be old enough for solids, but he was also still in need of mother's milk, all the more considering how small he seemed now, according to Wylla. She knew more than Lyanna- it was why Ashara had given her to Lyanna after all, considering Lyanna's lack of a female role model after her own mother's death and being surrounded by brothers.

"A-a letter," Jaime coughed, still reaching for the water. "Prince Rhaegar sent a letter before the battle, to get his family out of the city after… after he heard." More coughing and Lyanna exchanged glances with Arthur. "The King… he has plans… if Rhaegar were to fall, the city would go with him." Lyanna swallowed the terror threatening to rise as Arthur, face pale, squeezed the young boy's shoulder.

"What happened to Princess Elia?" he asked. "How did you get here?"

"I nearly didn't," Jaime half sobbed. "She stayed behind. Insisted as we were nearly caught. Varys wanted Aegon for something… I never found out what, she gave him to me and had us smuggled out through the tunnels." Jaime swiped tears from his eyes furiously, swallowed and continued after another gulp of water. "There was a wet-nurse, but we were beset by the Dornish. They thought… my father has killed the king. They didn't believe I was helping the children. They killed her and the horses three days ago… I barely got away with them."

"Jaime gave us water," Rhaenys piped up and Lyanna brushed dark curls out of her violet eyes, giving her a reassuring smile. No wonder he was dehydrated. He must have given all his own resources to keep the children alive.

"Why come here then?" Arthur asked, gentler now. Jaime shrugged.

"I didn't know where else to go. I knew you were here somewhere… and going to Sunspear would have been suicide after that attack." Lyanna nodded, rising with some difficulty.

"You were brave, Ser Jaime," she said, squeezing her arm as she had done to her younger brother many times. Jaime was braver than Benjen to have made it here so intact. From the blood, she thanked the gods that he was good with the sword. "They would not be alive otherwise. Get some rest." She gently rocked Aegon in her arms, wondering if her own child would look like him. They would have to leave but… she placed one hand on the swell of her stomach. It wouldn't be long now and what would happen if the babe were to come halfway between here and Starfall? They couldn't go south- it would appear that the Martells had made that clear and staying here would either lead to them all being killed, the children stolen and controlled, or Robert finding them if he had gotten away unscathed. Arthur seemed to be thinking the same.

"One moment, Jaime. Before you left, what news of the Trident? The raven only arrived as you did. All we know is that Rhaegar is dead, and now Aerys from your story." Jaime, held in the night's grip since he had wobbled worryingly on his way out, blinked and stared up at Arthur a moment.

"Yes, Rhaegar is dead but he wounded Robert as well. Last I heard, Baratheon was in a bad way and the Lord Stark was riding south to raise the siege at Storm's End." Lyanna nodded and let Arthur lead him away, tucking the little Rhaenys into her own bed next to her brother as the pair had fallen asleep. It didn't matter that is was the middle of the day- they had had a long and exhausting journey. Now all she needed to do was figure out what they could do.

Lyanna sat by the window, fruitlessly rubbing her stomach as if that would soothe the child. It was almost as if it could sense the turmoil around it. They had left a letter in Father's solar- he knew what had happened, but Brandon had gone ahead and been an idiot, as usual, and then Robert had followed after… Rhaegar had held her while she grieved for her brother and father, murmuring how Rickard had been strong, even in the face of death. She allowed herself a small moment to grieve her now late husband's death and more than like, good-sister too. It didn't matter that she had met Elia once as she and Rhaegar made their vows. Elia was a good and kind woman, who had graciously accepted Rhaegar's words, warned Lyanna of some of Rhaegar's oddities and hugged her tight as they were separated.

"I'll see you when this is all over, good-sister," she had said with a smile. "I cannot wait to meet our new son or daughter." Lyanna let out a half-sob-half-laugh at the reminder of those words. Unlike Rhaegar, Elia had never tried to tell her the gender of the child- in fact in their letters, Elia had stated it was more than likely a boy from the strong movements Lyanna had described and the fact that she had so many brothers. If Rhaegar wants a Visenya, I believe he ought to have taken a wife with sisters, not brothers her last letter had said and Lyanna could imagine her laughing as she wrote it. She knew that she had when she read it.

But what to do now? I have four of the Kingsguard with me and the other royal children. If Aerys is dead, Aegon is the new king but he has not yet reached a single summer. We cannot leave, for fear this new child will come early as Wylla suspects but we are sandwiched between the anger of the Martells and Robert's fury. Lyanna's thoughts were not helping as she stared out into the red sands of Dorne. Six moons they had been here already, and she didn't know anymore if she would live to see her seventeenth name day. But if we don't leave, we are vulnerable to whoever finds us. And we don't even have enough horses to get us to Starfall… Starfall. I wonder. Lyanna swallowed and narrowed her eyes. If Robert was wounded and Tywin Lannister in King's Landing, the only person able to come get them was Ned. And if she could get to Starfall, she might be able to get a letter to him through Ashara. The knock at the door was somewhat welcome, considering what she needed. It opened to reveal Ser Gerold Hightower, face grave.

"I heard…" he trailed off as he spotted the children asleep on the bed. Lyanna had tucked the covers over Rhaenys and swaddled Aegon properly after cleaning him with Wylla's help earlier.

"Ser Gerold, how long will it take to get to Starfall by carriage?" she asked. The Lord Commander blinked and stared at her a moment.

"Your Grace?" he asked, flummoxed.

"We cannot stay here. I intend to write to Ashara to send a carriage or wagon or something of the sort. We do not have the horses to get to Starfall safely, and if I go into labour on the road with naught but horses, all is lost for both myself and the child. This way, there may be some way to get there safely," Lyanna explained, already reaching for quill and paper. "But I need to know if it is viable. After all, we rode here on horses and I do not know the area well." Ser Gerold stared at her a moment before bowing his head.

"It took us a week of hard travel to get here. It may take us up to three weeks' if we take into account the wagon," he said, with a grimace. "And between here and there, if we get into trouble, it will be difficult to find help. I would recommend telling Ashara to see her opinion of asking the Blackmont's for help. They have a rocky history with the Martells and may be more open to helping us than House Manwoody and we could catch a boat downriver to Starfall once we reach Blackmont." Lyanna nodded, already penning the letter and praying that her gods would hear her prayers despite the absence of a godswood here. If they were kind or gracious or had a single ounce of pity left for once they had forsaken so much of, they would give her the time for this. Six weeks. Six weeks to make this work.

She hoped she had enough time.

The gates of Blackmont were a welcome sight, and Lyanna near groaned when she saw them. Everything ached, the babe was restless but thankfully, it had only been four weeks, rather than her feared six. A good thing too- she could tell it would not be long. Perhaps even within the next day or so. Thankfully, Ashara had written that the Blackmonts, while not necessarily welcoming, would be accommodating enough to house them the night and send them on to Starfall by boat on the morrow. And only for the children- their goodwill did not fall too much on her. Lyanna didn't complain. It had been so long since the gods had given her any kind of break, that she was merely thankful for this small boon.

The journey had been hard, for her and the children. Aegon fussed and made sure everyone knew of his discomfort and Rhaenys had cried upon hearing they would not be visiting her uncles. Then complained that she was tired all over again, obviously comfortable enough with them now to let them know. Or at least, at enough ease to know they would not hurt her for complaining. Lyanna had done her best, but mothering was hard, and she was so new at it and so far along in her own pregnancy that she had simply let Wylla care for the princess and prince after the first couple of days. She helped out as best she could, but Wylla insisted she sleep as much as she could- they couldn't risk Lyanna overexerting herself and causing the new prince or princess to be born even earlier. It was not safe to do so on the road. But this night would be bliss compared to this journey and even Jaime Lannister was giving a sigh of relief, riding the horse Lyanna had ridden here. She wondered if he knew he was riding a northern stallion that he had spent a good few days complaining about.

From Arthur's grin and Oz's quiet sniggers, probably not.

Lyanna gave her own sigh of relief as she lowered herself into the bath prepared for her, not even bothered by the tiny rooms given to her. No doubt meant to be a slight but Lyanna would have taken a barn over another day on the wagon- supposedly the only one available to get to the Tower the quickest. She had also ensured to leave a letter in plain sight for Ned. Ashara had informed them that it was indeed Ned riding for her due to the 'new King's grave state'. Lyanna wondered if it was too much to pray that Robert would die. It might make things easier, but she knew it was too long a time for him to have died. No doubt, the great brute was recovering and would be crowing for her hand in marriage.

Well, he would have a sorry surprise when she did meet him again. Like hell was she sparing him from the wolfs-blood anymore.

They set out early the next morning, she carrying Aegon and Arthur Rhaenys, both still asleep, and alighted the boat even before they had broken their fast. They ate on the way downriver. It was then that they had to thank the gods all the more that the journey would take no longer than half a day- not an hour even after they left was Lyanna wracked by the beginnings of the birthing pains. She gasped at the strength of them from time to time and allowed Wylla to take Aegon on the last hour of their journey when the pain caused her to double over. Ser Gerold had to carry her off the boat, shouting for a maester all the while, men already scrambling out of his way.

Lyanna did not remember much of the birthing other than great and agonising pain. It was only once it was all done and over with, two days later when she finally awoke, that she learnt the gods had given her as much of a blessing as they could. Had they been without a maester, then she would surely have died and mayhap even the babe she was told. He had been born feet first and near in danger of the umbilical cord being wrapped around his neck- not only could he have strangled to death, but she would have bled to death even if he had survived without anyone around who knew about these things. Arthur's face had been the palest he had ever seen it and Lyanna could do nothing more than take the tiny babe into her arms with a wobbly smile.

"What will you name him?" Arthur asked, watching her nurse him even in arms that were still slightly weak. Lyanna may have needed the assistance of a wet-nurse from time to time but she was determined to provide for her little son, now that Rhaegar was unable to. Especially since now there would be no fleeing anywhere until Ned arrived. The maester had put his foot down about that. She looked down at the small head of dark curls and eyes such a dark indigo one might mistake them for black if they didn't look hard enough.

"I don't know," she answered honestly. "I know Rhaegar wanted a Visenya." She stopped and gave a short laugh. "Seems My sweet goodsister was right- he really ought to have chosen someone with sisters if he wanted a girl." Arthur laughed with her, but it was cracked, and she could still see the fear behind his eyes, at how close it had almost been. So she did what she had always done when her brothers were being idiots- thumped him on the arm with her free hand and grinned.

"He loved you too, you know," Arthur said, after protesting and rubbing his arm with a pout. "I have no doubt he would love this little one too, no matter his sex." Lyanna sighed and kissed her son's head, just as Rhaenys entered.

"Mam Lya?" she asked quietly, eyes wide. Lyanna stared right back- it was the first time the little girl had referred to her as such.

"Yes, sweetling?" she asked, bewildered. Rhaenys tiptoes in and up to the edge of the bed.

"Can I see?" she asked shyly, gazing up at her. Lyanna smiled at her and gently lowered her arms and shuffling over to make room for the little girl to clamber on the bed. She stared, entranced, at the babe and then up at Lyanna with eyes only a shade or two lighter than her new half-brother's. "What's his name?" Lyanna sighed, still unsure but knowing she had to decide. That was the second time she had been asked for a name. She had discussed names for a boy with Elia- perhaps one of her picks?

"Your mother liked Jaehaerys," Lyanna mused out loud and Rhaenys looked up at her startled, silently questioning. "What do you think? Little Jae? Or Jon for his northern roots?" That last she directed at Arthur with a wink. Rhaenys giggled and then, startling Lyanna, snuggled up next to her and stroked the baby's cheek.

"Jae," she said firmly. "If mama liked it I do too. It's better than Egg too," She added the last part with a cheeky grin and Lyanna laughed with her.

"Yes, it is a little less silly, isn't it?" she giggled, marvelling at the trust this little girl had placed in her. Not even three days ago she had been complaining about wanting to be back with her mother, no matter that they had all been too scared to tell her the truth. Now, she was here and smiling at her. And then, just like that, her smile fell, and she hugged Lyanna once more.

"Don't leave too," she whispered into her midsection. Lyanna glanced at Arthur, who's dark expression told her all she needed to know. Dark wings, dark words her father's voice echoed.

"Never," Lyanna vowed to the little girl. They were hers now and she would not let Elia down. Not like Rhaegar had, nor like her own brothers'.

The arrival of Lord Eddard Stark to Starfall would have been comical if Lyanna were not terrified of Ned's reaction. She had been sat on one of the balcony's overlooking the sea, taking tea with Rhaenys and watched over by Oz and Ser Jaime, little Jae's crib set next to them and Aegon sat in her lap. They were attempting to give him some mushed fruits, laughing at the different faces he made when trying each one- his funniest being the one's he didn't like- and covered in food when the page informed them of her brother's arrival. There was no time to change before Ned had charged up the stairs and into the room, stopping dead at the sight of her. Lyanna supposed that she had probably looked less elegant before, but not by much.

"Ned," she said as Rhaenys hid behind her skirts, alarmed by the entrance of the stranger. Aegon spat out a mouthful of mushed pears in disgust as his only recognition of the newcomer. Lyanna almost giggled at her brother's expression when the glob landed on his shoe. "I hear you have all of this to look forward to," she said lightly, to hide her fear.

"I, err, yes…" Ned said, bewildered. It was then he spotted the crib. "Lya…"

"Your nephew, Jae," she confirmed, leaning over to rock the crib slowly as he stirred. "Although, I sometimes call him Jon just to confuse Arthur."

"I heard that!" was the echo from the door and Oz bit back a grin. Jaime looked just as bewildered as Ned at his fellow Kingsguard's actions- no doubt it had been more formal under the Targaryens and in King's Landing. Lyanna had no such scruples and had regularly dumped Egg in his arms when she needed to tend to Jae or Rhaenys. Considering he the Kingsguard with nothing to do, he was the one most readily available to her.

"I take it you found my letter," Lyanna said, offering Ned a seat which her brother took with weak knees. He was still dirty from his travels. "And Howland your very welcome to join us," she continued, seeing the little crannogman peering in through the doors. He smiled back at her and wandered over, leaning over the crib.

"A beautiful little boy," he praised. "May I?" She nodded, and, with a little help, Howland had Jae in his arms, already besotted. "He looks just like you." Lyanna snorted.

"Oh please," she said. "It's the curls that deceive you. Tell it true, Howland. He looks like a little Rhaegar if he had been born in the north." Ned made an odd noise and then suddenly collapsed forward in his chair, head in hands.

"Oh gods, what do I tell Robert?" he moaned towards the table. "He wants them…!" He didn't need to finish that sentence, even without the sob that made it through his teeth. "All this death! And for what?" His eyes were near desolate when he raised his head and Lyanna swallowed the guilt and met them.

"So the children will live," she said firmly. "I'll deal with Robert Ned. Just because he's an idiot that can't read the signs when a lady wants nothing to do with him, doesn't mean you should blame yourself. We're all responsible for this grand old mess." And she admitted it, as she had a thousand times before in her head. It was not her fault Robert was bloodthirsty or Aerys mad, but she had made the decision to flee, to leave naught but a note that could easily have been lost. She would take the blame for that at the very least. Ned stared balefully at her a moment before swallowing and nodding. He then turned and almost shyly looked at the baby and the pair of violet eyes staring at him from around the edge of her chair.

"Can an uncle meet his nephews?" Ned asked quietly. "And niece?" Lyanna grinned at him, happy for that quick and easy acceptance. He always had been, for her. Ned could hold grudges, but he held family high and his secrets higher, and in that moment, she loved him all the more for it.

"Of course," she said, letting Howland hand Jae over to his new uncle. "Little Jaehaerys," she murmured. "And this is Aegon and Rhaenys." She gave Rhaenys a gentle push further into sight. The girl didn't let go of her death grip of her skirts but let herself be guided forwards and become more visible. "Rhaenys, this is my brother, Ned. He won't ever hurt you, I promise."

"You fought for Robert," Rhaenys whispered, almost silent. Ned glanced up at her from where he had been staring at Jae, nestled awkwardly in his arms, and gave her a sorrowful look.

"I did," Ned confirmed. "For my brother and father who were slain, not for your parent's deaths." Rhaenys glanced up at her and Lyanna gave her a reassuring smile. She turned back.

"You won't hurt Jae?" she half demanded. Ned smiled at her.

"Never." Rhaenys nodded and then sat back in her chair, turning to look at Howland.

"Who are you?"

"Howland Reed," Howland replied to the slightly rude question, eyes bright with laughter.

"You're very short," Rhaenys said solemnly. This time Howland did laugh and even Ned managed a smile at the sweet scene before them.

"I am a crannogman, little Princess. I'm afraid we are all a little short," he laughed. Rhaenys opened her mouth in a small 'o' and then immediately peppered him with questions. Lyanna and Ned shared amused glances. And thanked the gods that Rhaenys was so forgiving at this age.

Meeting Robert was something of a strange and odd experience. He was dressed richly, lions prowling around him and already deep into his cups when he spotted their arrival. Rhaenys had a death grip on her hand, while she balanced Aegon on her hip. She had wanted to hold Jae, her own little boy, but knew that it would be folly to show anything other than love for the newly orphaned children. And she would not allow any more blood to be spilt in her name. So instead, Ned was holding him, only a step behind her, the rest of the Kingsguard flanking them with Arthur as close as he could get on her right. It should have been Ser Gerold really, but he had acquiesced to his brother in arms' request.

"Lyanna!" Robert roared, bounding up from his throne much to the distaste of the blonde lion who had been sat to his left. She stared at Lyanna with a barely disguised disgust, face so similar to Jaime's that she could only be his twin, Cersei.

"Hello Robert," she said calmly, squeezing Rhaenys hand back. As cold as ice she whispered to herself mentally.

"It is Your Grace now," was the cold response from behind Robert, the blonde bitch coming to join them.

"Nonsense woman! My betrothed may call me as she likes!" Robert exclaimed, attempting to give her a kiss. Lyanna leaned away, sidestepping deftly to avoid him.

"Betrothed no longer, Your Grace," she said. Cold as ice. "My father sent you a missive did he not? Our betrothal was called off."

"A dirty trick by the dragons!" Robert stated, frowning.

"No, the truth," Lyanna said firmly, eyes hard. Robert glanced down, looking at the children in her arms and frowning himself.

"Are you… are you protecting these dragonspawn?" Robert spat, suddenly furious. Ned drew in a breath behind her and the Kingsguard around her shuffled ever closer, hands on weapons.

"Considering you have just murdered my husband and allowed your soon-to-be goodfather to have my goodsister horrifically killed, yes," Lyanna spat right back, as angry now as she had been when Ned had told her what had become of poor Elia. Robert reeled backwards as if she had physically struck him. "Why would I not, when you have brought such dishonour to yourself and the realm?" As cold as ice, cold as ice she frantically reminded herself, shoving back the fear that rose at the sight of Robert's fury. "Why would I want a husband who would spend his time with whores over his own beloved betrothed and wife?"

"You married him?" Robert growled, suddenly no longer listening. "You let him touch you!" Lyanna was glad he was nowhere near that legendary Warhammer- they would likely be dead by now if he was. "To defile what is mine!" Lyanna let go of Rhaenys' hand long enough to slap with all of her strength. It was enough to send him stumbling back a number of paces.

"Yours?" she hissed, incensed, using her anger to hide her fear. "Yours?! I am not yours! I am not property for you to lord over others! And I am certainly not southern belle waiting for her precious knight to come save her from a tower! Yes, I married him and lay with him. He was my husband and I loved him!" She had to blink away tears at the thought, pulling Rhaenys closer to her. "Rhaegar never treated me like his property, like a trophy. So yes, I protect his children! Mine and Elia's and by the gods if you so much as lay a hand on them, you will find your reign a short one, Your Grace!" she spat, cutting through the dead silence that had fallen the moment she dared strike the king. Even Cersei had taken a step back, her father behind her looking uncertain now. She drew back as Robert continued to stare, struck stupid by the fact that not only had a woman dare strike him, that it had come from his 'poor, delicate winter rose'. "I make that a vow," she whispered into the silence and then turned that gaze to the lords Tywin Lannister, Petyr Baelish, and Varys who were all staring openly at her with varying degrees of astonishment. "A vow to anyone who would even dare consider their deaths, noble or not."

She turned on her heel then, striding out as fast as she could before the true terror could catch with her in what she had done. She kept walking, even as the whispers rose behind her, the sudden shouts of anger she was leaving in her wake and calls for Clegane's head. Even as the king's wails began. "Lyanna!" he screamed, attempting to follow, despite Arryn's quick response to try and stop him. "Lyanna, wait! LYANNA!"

She did stop when the doors closed, and they reached the main courtyard of Maegor's holdfast, doubling over and gasping, the fright catching up with her. She knelt and gathered Rhaenys up in her arms, clutching her and Aegon tightly and then gesturing for Ned to give her Jae, bringing him in to join them. Ned wrapped his arms around all of them as Arthur, Oz, Ser Gerold and Jaime stood around. She could see the slight tremors running through the teens body through her own tears and nudged Ned who seemed to get what she meant, dragging him in too. When she finally felt calm once more, she wiped away the tears from both hers and Rhaenys' face as best she could with her arms full of both Egg and Jae.

"I'll send a raven to Riverrun," Ned murmured. "Will you be alright heading to Winterfell alone?"

"Yes," Lyanna said with more confidence than she felt and then shuddered. "I have to be." She let Arthur take Aegon, needing the comfort of her own babe for a moment, grateful for the knight's loyalty. "Ser Jaime, you can stay if you want," she said to the teen, who had been surreptitiously wiping away any evidence of his own fear. "Be with your sister and father." Jaime stared at her, then at the children and finally Jae in her arms. A fierce look of determination rose on his face.

"No," he said flatly. "I gave an oath to your… your husband, to keep his family safe. I couldn't save Princess Elia so…" Lyanna nodded, smiling at him, then paused, turning to Ser Gerold.

"Can you go to Dragonstone? I don't know if Rhaella will have birthed her babe yet, or if Stannis has reached them, but…"

"I will do my best, my Lady," Ser Gerold said, bowing low.

The next morning, they took the next ship to White Harbour, the children still undecided in whether they were royalty or not. Lyanna couldn't care less- they were alive, and she was free and that was all that mattered to her.

So, this idea popped into my head and I just had to write it. Lyanna, Rhaegar and Elia are such important characters that we never meet in the books (or show) and I wondered what would have happened if even one of them had lived. I've seen a few fics where Lyanna lives, but there she usually marries Robert- a fact I find weird considering from what we know of her she ran away with Rhaegar to get out of marriage with him. I also think that Robert would be less than forgiving of any child sired by Rhaegar, whether Lyanna begged or not. So, in this fic she just doesn't.

Why did I save Rhaenys and Aegon? Because the murder of children is awful, Aegon's death ever more particularly so, and let's be honest, with what we know of the Mountain, I don't want to even think of what he did to her prior to her actual death. From what we know of what he did to Elia, I'm happy with not knowing. I also find it pretty cold of Rhaegar to leave a fifteen, then sixteen year-old Jaime to look after not just Elia and her children, but also Rhaella, Viserys and the yet to be born Daenerys before they get sent to Dragonstone. So that's one Kingsguard for six of the royal family, three to know as yet (possible) unknown one and three on the battlefield. So, I had Rhaegar read the possible signs and get Jaime to take his family to the safest place he can at this point- with the expecting Lyanna and three best swords of the Kingsguard. So, in this timeline, Jaime has no reason to abandon his vows or oaths and, since Pycelle and Varys convince Aerys to canonically open the gates for Tywin, I'm going to say he never got round to uttering 'Burn them all'.

As for how much Lyanna can seemingly 'play the game'... I didn't intentionally write her that way. I meant to write her with a take no prisoners attitude and wondered what someone similar to the person described to us by Ned (Robert is not a reliable source) would do to us in such a situation. And I may have fudged the timelines a bit- it would probably take longer to reach the Tower of Joy than a week even on a fast horse from Starfall and even longer by any kind of vehicle to the Backmont. But I had to also factor in how long it would have taken Ned to ride from the Trident, to Storm's End, to King's Landing and then to the Tower of Joy. And realised I had a lot of time to work with, even with how slow ravens can be. And I'm also taking advantage of this and having the sack of King's Landing moved up a bit and assuming that, without Jaime in the city, Tywin would have moved a lot faster.

I may also have fudged the Blackmonts a bit but considering we only meet a couple who go with Oberyn to King's Landing canonically, and according the GRRM's own 'World of Ice and Fire' they have had a fair few run ins with the Martells, I figured they would be a little more forgiving of the occasion than the Martells were within this fic.

Anyhow, enough of my ramblings, I hope you enjoyed this and look out for part 2!