Chapter Text
Cersei was ready for it to be over, she had worn her best dress for this day, ready to stand proud beside her betrothed and her soon to be Good-Sister, Elia. after this day it would finally be over, Cersei would marry Oberyn and they would leave this place for good, with no shadows hanging over them, no more worrying about Lyanna Stark and the poison that she brought with her. There was one thing she hadn’t counted on, was the pity she felt when she saw Lyanna Stark, standing with her head bowed down. She tried to push it away, but it was there, pity for the woman that could have been so much more than she was now, married to Robert Baratheon, raising warriors. But there she was, a delusion, rage-filled, vile woman, that would finally be brought to justice for all the wrongs she had caused.
“Lyanna Stark, you stand accused of attempted murder of Queen Elia Targaryan, of Prince Aegon Targaryen, Heir to the Iron Throne and Princess Rhaenys Targaryan, how do you plead?”
There was nothing from the Stark woman, no sound came from her mouth, she didn’t even lift her head from where it was, Cersei tried to push away the feelings she felt for her, it was stupid of course, to feel pity for someone who had tried to kill people from the family she was about to marry into, but Oberyn placing his hand on her arm drew her from her thoughts.
“Do not look so worried Cersei, you cannot feel pity for a woman driven by so much hatred, you may pray for her, but do not pity her.”
“I know, it’s just sad that this is what it’s come to.”
He placed a kiss against her head, before turning back to the trial, it was almost like she was watching it in a dream, as Rhaegar and Elia sat high above everyone else, as they looked down on the woman that would have seen everything they had made, torn down into nothing, so that she could sit beside the man that she thought loved her, more than he loved his family. Cersei wasn’t sure if Rhaegar had it in him to love, but as she watched him grasp Elia’s hand, as though looking for reassurance, Cersei was sure he felt something for Elia, maybe it was his own form of love.
“You also stand accused of lying with another man, who in turn fathered your son, Jon Sand, in Dorne, 10 years ago. You have hidden this from everyone, but it is known that the disgraced King’s Guard knight, Arthur Dayne is the father of your son, how do you plead?”
There were gasps and whispers from the gathered crowd, many looked around, trying to find the bastard Prince, but he, like the other children, had been kept away from the trial. Some would see this as weakness, but Cersei thought it best to allow children to remain, children, for just a while longer. Protecting him from finding out like this was mercy, she couldn’t imagine what the child’s face would look like now, his mother’s closely guarded secret now exposed to all in attendance. Those who had supported Lyanna Stark, now drew back from her, hoping they would not be dragged down with the now-disgraced mistress.
“You conspired with your brother Benjen Stark, to kill the Queen and her children, you had him leave on the premiss he wished to see the Knight’s Watch and you instructed him on which plant would be needed for your plan to work, but you did not know how much you needed and Lord Stark had only picked a small plant, it was not enough to kill the Queen and so you asked him again, only this time your letter was intercepted and your treachery exposed.”
Lyanna has risen her head by now, looking bored as the trial went on, even at times smiling as though she thought this was some joke and there was no danger to her life, but there would be no second chances for this woman, who had admitted to her own brothers what she had wanted to do, Cersei wandered if Lyanna thought Rhaegar would call the whole thing off, throw Elia away and announce to the whole realm he wanted to marry her and it was all a lie. It was her arrogance that caused the most issue with people, twirling her hair around her finger, playing with the sleeves of her dress, staring at Elia and Rhaegar. Even Eddard Stark stood far away from her, he was uncomfortable, but most noticed the absence of the youngest Stark brother, where he was, nobody knew.
“With all the evidence, we would like to call witnesses to the stand, Lord Eddard Stark.”
This sparked an intense discussion between the crowd, Lord Stark, speaking against his own sister? Had he been convinced to turn against her by the King and Queen, or had he truly been witness to some of what Lyanna Stark had done? Cersei was shocked, she knew he had met with her, but she didn’t know what they had spoken about, or even if they spoke at all. She watched in amusement, as he almost stumbled his way to the stand, Lyanna had been dragged from the stand and thrown into a chair away from the crowd and her brother.
“Lord Stark, you spoke with your sister yesterday, did you not?”
“I did.”
“What did you speak of?”
“I spoke to my sister about why she was in the Black Cells, she told me that she had tried to kill Queen Elia, that it was because of his Highness, King Rhaegar, as the love she holds for him is so strong.”
It went back and forth for a while, Cersei grew bored, it was always the same these trials. They would speak, they would argue and it would be over soon, her eyes kept being drawn towards Lyanna Stark, who had continued playing with her hair, this time, her smile was big. Even from where she stood, Cersei could see her making eyes at Rhaegar, she was truly stupid, if she thought Rhaegar would save her now. But even Cersei wondered, what would happen to her? Would they send her away in exile or would Rhaegar be forced to kill her? Would he mind, or would he too be happy that she was finally gone and in no position to carry on her schemes?
Lyanna refused to speak up until the end, just before the verdict was read, she sprang up like a madwoman, screaming at everyone and everything. It was wild, nobody moved, nobody said anything as she screams and yelled that the world would end without her, “I am supposed to birth a daughter for you! Only me! Not her, not that weak, spinless Dornish bitch you call your wife! I am the only wife you have, in the eyes of Gods! We married, if you kill me, you’ll be killing the only person in this world that knows you! Only me! You said so!”
Rhaegar didn’t move, didn’t say anything, as Lyanna continued on her mad speel, Cersei would have believed he had turned into a statue, had he not held up his hand and put a stop to her madness, “You will speak no more Lady Stark, you have said enough, your vapid lies will carry no weight here, nor will they save you from the fate you wrote yourself. I may have married you, but you are not the woman I thought you were, I do not know what lies you told yourself, but let it be known, the only wife that I have is this one sat beside me. I have heard enough, Septor, please continue.”
Lyanna had to be forcibly restrained in her chair, Cersei saw in amusement in Oberyn’s eyes, as they covered her mouth, “She’s muzzled like a dog.” he whispered in her ear, the Septon drawled on and on about things nobody truly cared about, they watched as Lyanna realised her wish for Rhaegar to save her was thrown out of the window, “I hereby sentence one, Lady Lyanna Stark of House Stark, to death on charges of treason.”
The reaction was instant, Lyanna began to scream around her gag, as she was pulled from the chair, the guards dragging her outside of the Sept of Baelor, Eddard Stark stood still, pale as the snow that covered his home, closed his eyes and bent his head, this was the right thing, she had caused so much pain and now, he prayed, she was be at peace with Brandon and father. Elia almost felt pity for the woman, but the thought of her children dying in her place, pushed that thought away, she would feel no pity for the woman who had tried to kill her, Aegon and Rhaenys, the woman that had tried to use her own son to do so. She placed her arm on Rhaegar’s arm, drawing him from his own thoughts.
“I’m sorry, that it had to come to this.”
“No, Elia, I’m sorry, sorry that I allowed this to happen, allowed her to continue to spew her poison wherever she went and I am sorry, that I did no handle this sooner. If I knew she could let go of the darkness in her mind and heart, I would have sent her to live in the Free Cities, but I cannot trust her.”
He led Elia out through the doors, they would watch the execution, then they would see to the children, held up in their rooms, Elia thought of little Jon’s face when she told him that his mother would not be coming back, would she tell him the truth of why she had to go away? She wasn’t sure, she would make that decision once they got there, Rhaegar kept hold of her arm, in a tight grip, he may have spoken those words to her, but he had still loved Lyanna, loved her enough to abandon his family.
“Speak to her, before she dies, speak to her.”
“Elia-”
“Please, let her leave this world with some kind words Rhaegar, even if you have to lie to her, lie to her and make her happy just this once.”
She pushed him away, and so he went, walked towards the door where he knew Lyanna was waiting, he called the guards to him, “When she looks up at me, I will give you a signal, take her head off, sharpen your sword, I want it done in one go.” He moved towards the spot where she would lose her life, it would have been a lovely day, the sun shining, if it was not such a dark day. They would upset many people today, but having a private execution, but she was a Highborn Lady and deserved that much, Eddard had begged for it. He heard the door open, the sound of Lyanna’s cried tore at his heart, but he knew this was for the best, and he would do as Elia asked, he would have Lyanna leave with some kindness and love. He made eye contact with the guards and they nodded.
“Lyanna, come here.”
She stumbled her way over, before falling to her knees in front of him, he tried to conjure a different vision in his head of her, when she had been happy and full of life before she had found out that Elia would be staying before she allowed the darkness to consume her and pull her further into the darkness.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry that this is not the life you wanted, I would have loved you Lyanna, for the rest of my life, if you have not done this,” he crouched in front of her, catching her eye, “If you had not been so selfish and loved Elia, the same way that I do if you had not borne the son of another man and lied to me.” He brushed her hair away from her face, one that he had once felt nothing but love for, not filled him with hate, “You should not have gone after my children, I could have forgiven you for Elia’s survival, but not when I found out that you tried to kill them.”
She sobbed out her apologised, how sorry she was, but Rhaegar could feel nothing for them, but Elia was right, he would not allow her to leave this world full of hate and pain, he would let her leave with love, “I love you Lyanna, always and we will be reunited in the next life, all of us and live happily in a world where we are allowed to, leave with these words Lyanna, do not hold on to this hate and when I find you in the next life, I will love you, the way you need to be loved.”
He moved his hand before she could even look away from him, her eyes filled with light and his heart clenched, there she was, the girl he fell in love with, she opened her mouth but nothing came out, there was no time for her to say anything, the sword came quick and sharp, in one move, her head was gone. Blood splattered across his chest, he pulled away and watched her body and head hit the floor, he turned on his heels and walked away. Leaving that part of his life behind him, it was over now, Lyanna was no longer around to break apart his family, he walked towards Elia, where she stood with tears on her face, even know, she had compassion, even crying for the woman that had tried to end her life. Rhaegar didn’t know how she could do it, he felt nothing for the death of the woman he had once loved. He wasn’t sure if this made him a terrible person, to not feel anything for the woman he had torn the realm apart for, for killing Jon’s mother, Jon, the thought of the boy sent a pang through his heart, he would have to do something to make up for it. Maybe he would like to go North, Ashara Stark was his aunt by blood, maybe he would like it there, but would the ghost of his mother haunt him in the home she was raised in?
No, Jon deserved better than the barren, cold lands of the North, he might not have been Rhaegar’s son, but he had raised him as such, he was still Jon’s father, Elia would know what to do, Oberyn had offered to have Jon as his squire, would he like Dorne? Would the heat be too much for him, or would the blood of his true father help him? Rhaegar and Elia made their way back into the Keep, avoiding as many people as they could, they only wanted to be around the children, to make sure they were safe.
The children were sleeping when they arrived, all curled up together in Aegon’s bed, Viserys was sitting in a chair by the bed, his sword at his hip, but he didn’t stir with the sound of the door opening, not even flinching. But Jon did, waking up instantly and looked towards them, they both felt their hearts constrict at the thought of telling him his mother wasn’t coming back.
“Jon, my son, come here and speak with us.”
They led him away from the bed, instead, they sat in front of the fire, watching the flames dance, while Jon sat between them, Elia placed her arm around his shoulders, pulling him into her side with a smile, “Jon, we are here to speak about your mother,” his head shot up to look at her, confusion danced in his eyes, “She’s gone away and when you’re older, we shall tell you why and explain everything.”
“It’s because of what she tried to do to you and Egg, isn’t it? She was bad and she had to be punished for it, Vis said that it was what happened to people that did bad things. Does that it mean I’ll be sent away too?”
“No Jon, you have done nothing wrong, you will not be going where your mother had, but you must be brave now Jon, braver than you ever have been.”
He nodded his head, before leading into Elia, he needed the comfort of a mother’s love and his own mother had left him behind, had gone he knew, to a place he could not follow, Viserys told him that his mother was to be killed, he had cried and protested, but he knew it was true now, father and Elia would not have come to see him and tell him if it was not true. He tried to keep the tears away, but he felt them escape and he was embarrassed, trying to hide them away.
“It’s okay to cry Jon,” His father whispered against his head, “It is not a weakness to do so, I cry, Aegon and Viserys cry, we shall not think less of you, for doing so.” He let them hold him tighter, it was going to be hard, his mother had always been by his side, always a constant in his life and now she was gone, and he would not see her for many years. would she miss him? Because he knew he would miss her, even with all the terrible things he knew she had done, he loved her, with all of his heart and he would pray to her. Like a good son.
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It had taken much pleading on his part to convince father and Elia, that he truly wished to go with Prince Oberyn and Lady Cersei to Dorne, where he would be taught to be a true knight and he would a guard to all of their children and the thought filled him with much excitement! The thought of sword fighting in Elia's homeland and the place where he was born excited him, it was someplace he knew he belonged, they didn't disdain bastard there, he thought it was a much better place than the North, his Uncle Ned had offered him a place in his home, but he had declined, he wanted the sun, the sand and that life, not one where he would be cold and sad all of the time, he knew he was only 12, almost 13, but Jon knew his heart better than everyone and it was Dorne, that called him.
Elia had cried, held him close and asked him if he was sure, the world was harsh and it would be a difficult journey, but Viserys was coming as well, promising to help teach Jon everything he had learnt and wasn't that exciting he had said, Prince Oberyn had told Jon to call him Uncle, Viserys did and so would he, and it was only right, as they would be family from here on. Saying goodbye to Rhaenys and Aegon had been the most difficult, Jon couldn't recall ever seeing Rhae cry, but she had then and it hurt Jon to see it and he had told her, she looked just as pretty with snot on her face as she did with all her pretty dresses on.
She had punched him for it.
His father was easy to say goodbye to, he had only looked at Jon with a smile and gave him his blessing, telling him to come back when he was strong and ready.
Jon watched King's Landing fade away in the distance, he stood at the railing of the boat until he couldn't see anything anymore, not the land and not his family, he would be gone for a while, but one day, he would come back and stand side by side with Aegon as his guard and he would protect his family when the time was right. He would travel North to learn about his mother, who she had been before. before she had tried to kill the brother and sister he loved more than life itself and he would learn to forgive. He still prayed for her, still hoped she was happy in the afterlife and he would join her there one day. He heard his Uncle Ned's wife had just given birth to another daughter, Jon didn't know her name and he would be far older than her, by the time he visited her, but he prayed for her anyway.
He turned away finally, joining Viserys in Uncle Oberyn's room, he hid his excitement well around the others, but he never had to around Viserys, who had told Jon of how he had felt when he first left for Dorne, how different it was to the home they knew and how much he would learn. Cersei Lannister was there too, she and Uncle Oberyn had married almost a year ago and he liked her, she had smiled at him and told him he was always welcome to speak with her and he would be lying if he didn't admit she did scare him, he remembered when she made one of the hand-maidens cry when she had called him the son of a whore and he never saw the hand-maiden again.
He was thankful for everything that he had in life, thankful for his family and thankful for the life he would not be allowed to lead. He laughed with Viserys, listening as he was told tales of everything he had done in Dorne, Viserys was betrothed to Princess Arianne Martell and he spoke of how beautiful she as, though not as beautiful as Queen Elia Jon had argued, he had never met her, but he knew she wasn't. Elia was the kindest, most beautiful woman in the world and one day he would be strong enough to protect her, as she had protected him for these past years.
He owed her that much.