act i . chapter xv

CONFESSION
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SER ARTHUR DAYNE STOOD comfortably in his armor at the height of the grandstand. His relaxed lean against Princess Elia's chair was quite the contrast to the other white cloaks who were upright and stiffly standing. He wasn't bothered with watching the current joust. The competitors were simply worthless. Instead, Arthur was watching the people in the stands.

He watched how they reacted. How the commonfolk looked up to the Riverland Lords and were afraid of all the rest. He watched how no two lesser houses, for the most part, interacted with other houses. How the knights walked around like roosters and the Ladies stalked the stands as if either they were cats ready to pounce or timid does.

This is what Arthur did. He knew people. He understood them. He knew how to influence their emotions and predict their actions and reactions. He was naturally gifted at this. It's what made him so likable by all walks of men. It's what made him a good kingsguard.

A kingsguard was altogether a different act that a knight, a Lord, or even a King. A kingsguard left his home to settle in another place. And that place is wherever their king was. That place was usually King's Landing. The capital was not like any other place in Westeros. To live in King's Landing-in the Red Keep, one must be good at people. In that dreadful place, your enemy is everyone, but also no one.

And that was your King's home. It was up to you to keep that man and his family alive from all those dangerous people. Even as a warrior, Arthur admitted that politics killed more people than war ever will. The Mad King's life was in Arthur's hands. He had to protect him. It was hard enough to protect a good king. But a king that everyone, even his wife and heir, have a certain distaste to-well... let's say that wasn't so easy. Not to mention the fact that Arthur would even consider himself against the king and his madness.

Arthur longed to see Prince Rhaegar on the ugly iron chair. He supposed that he may polish the corrosion off it. Arthur would even rather see Tywin Lannister on the throne than Aerys. That man ran the kingdom better than any Targaryen had in years.

But Arthur knew that there would never be any ruler like Rhaegar. Aerys's health has been declining rapidly. He didn't have many years left within him. Everything would be okay. His job would be three hungered percent easier too because not a man's who met Rhaegar could say that he despised him. In fact, in the cess-pool of blood and power-hungry savages, Rhaegar was the only human that he trusted to do good and be true.

But it didn't mean he didn't love his sister. She wasn't truly a player in the game of thrones. Or maybe she was. Maybe she was one of Varys's "little birds" as he found that so many people were. He loved Elia too. He grew up with these people. Elia steered him right in his influential years. But she was fading away. She was dying. Arthur sickeningly admitted that it severely weakened the crown. And that made her a player in the game.

"Arthur, can you send for Shara?" Elia asked, curling her fingers back to tap the the kingsguard's golden breast plate with her frail finger nail.

"Are you done with Rhaeny?" he asked, stepping in front of the princess's throne, chainmail jingling with his movements. Lightheadedly, Elia shook her head.

"Shes too heavy," she breathed, looking down at the healthy, chubby baby dressed in a Dornish infant grab colored with deep read and adorned with golden beads and tassels. The sweet girl gave a toothy grin through her chubby cheeks and excitedly bounced on her mothers legs, giggling. "Attie!" she kept repeating. That's what she called Arthur. Elia gasped in pain as the little girl had a ball.

"Come here, princess," Arthur said empathetically as he scooped the sweet girl off Elia's lap. "You're hurting Mother."

"Thank you, Arthur," Elia rasped. Holding the baby against his side, Arthur patted Elia on her shoulder. The he turned around to speak to his fellow kingsguard,
Barristan. "Can you take Elia. I've got to go find my sister."

"I'll take the princess, if you'd like," Barristan suggested. Baristan was another man that Arthur could almost trust. Almost. "I've got her, Selmy. Thanks to you though."

Ser Barristan nodded to him as he descended to the lower part of the grandstand where the court was seated. He looked around, not seeing his sister. "Lady Jasline," Arthur called to the second eldest handmaiden. The young beauty looked up at him with admiration and adoration. Lady Jasline Vaith has had fancied Arthur for as long as she knew what fancying someone was. Arthur never loved anyone. Not in a romantic way at least. He loved his sister, his brother, Elia, Rhaegar, and even the Queen, Rhaella.

"Have you seen my sister?" he asked, the baby cooing happily in his arms.

Jasline responded. "Not since yesterday. Lord Eddard Stark stormed off and she followed. I haven't seen her since."

Arthur's brows came together in confusion. That was strange. It was strange that Ned Stark has even taken Ashara's empty seat. Arthur was not blind to his sister's immense beauty. She put a debilitating spell on every man who laid eyes on her. Arthur had to grow used to the fact that she'd have suitors. He just never thought that one of the front runners may be the second son of Lord Rickard Stark. And he for sure didn't believe that she was in any danger. Not with Ned Stark anyway.

Arthur didn't have to worry about the boy besmirching his sister's honor. Unlike his older brother. Brandon is not someone Arthur would want Ashara courting unsupervised. But nevertheless, if she hadn't been seen since yesterday, she must be found. He looked to where Rhaegar was supposed to be sitting. He had been absent since midday yesterday also. But he was searching for the "traitor". Arthur needed the prince to give him leave to search for his sister, knowing the king would not give him such a privilege.

Ser Arthur sighed, knowing his duty was here, but decided to go off to find Ashara. He handed Rhaenys off to Jasline with much defiance from the young princess. He thought about approaching Lord Rickard about his son's whereabouts, but decided not to. If his son was doing something Rickard would disapprove of, then Arthur didn't want Eddard to be locked in an ill discourse with him. He saw Brandon, but decided that the same outcome could happen there. Thats why he chose the 13 year old Stark, The Young Wolf, Benjen.

"Lord Benjen Stark!" He called out to the boy who was in a closed conversation with some more Northern boys. He looked up to see who was calling his name. When Benjen saw that it was Arthur, his eyes grew wider than what was thought to be humanly possible.

"Yes, the Sword of the Morning- I mean Lord Dayne- I mean... Ser Arthur... or Ser Dayne? My apologies I just..." the boys was at loss of words. Surely it was becaus of all the stories told and songs sung about Ser Arthur. But the same was done for Ser Barristan Selmy. The Bold, they called him. Or Rhaegar, the Dragon Prince. Oberyn Martell, the Red Viper. Robert Baratheon, the Ape. Or even the fifteen year old Lannister, the Young Lion or the Knight of the Songs. Those men traveled the mouths off all the young bouts of the kingdoms .

"Calm down, little Lord. You have a higher title than I do. You don't have to be intimidated by me," Arthur assured the young boy, putting his hand on his shoulder. Young Benign looked up at Arthur with such wonderment in his eyes.

"Why shouldn't I be intimidated? You're the Sword of the Morning! I'll never be as honorable and valiant as you. And certainly not as good with Sword. Father carries a greatsword like yours. Valyrian Steel."

Arthur laughed. "I have a question for you, my Lord." Benjen's eyes lit up even more. "For me?" he asked.

"Yes. Did you ever happen to see your brother, Eddard with my sister, Lady Ashara Dayne? I'm trying to find her and it seems as though she was last seen with your older brother."

"They went riding yesterday, but I haven't seen them since," Benjen told him. "I think they rode North." Arthur looked at him strangely. Ashara doesn't ride. She never learned.

"Are you sure that was Ashara Dayne with him. The princess's First Handmaiden?"

Benjen nodded. "The Fallen Star of Dorne. I'm familiar with her. Ned danced with her during the opening feast. It was her."

Dazed and confused, Arthur nodded to the boy. "Thanks to you, my boy."

Benjen smiled him off and Arthur set off the the stables to further explore his sister's whereabouts. He made sure to seem intimidating enough for people to be sure that he was on important business for the crown. Enough for no one to bother him. He trudged through the grass that the previous day's rain had made muddy in some lowers area. His boots, however were designed to keep water out. They were also steel toed. These boots were a privilege that not many men possessed and Arthur knew it.

When he made it to the stables, she saw that it was bolted shut. "Hmm," he said aloud, shortly as he approached the heavy, wooden doors. He beat the door with the side of his fist. "Open the door to your Kingsguard in the name King Aerys Targaryen," Arthur ordered through the gate. He waited a moment before knocking again. This time he did it harder. "This is a kingsguard ordering you to open this gate!"

The heavy door freaked open slowly, revealing a friendly face. One that Arthur was surprised to see happy. "My Prince," he greeted, laughing and walking inside.

"Are you truly ordering your Prince around, Ser?" Rhaegar asked with a light tone. Wrapping his friend in a hug, Arthur asked, "Did you just make a joke?"

Rhaegar chuckled darkly, shutting the door behind his most trusted guard. "Don't get used to it."

"I don't plan on it," he said quietly. "Why are you hidden in the stables? You're not afraid of coming back empty handed are you?"

"No. I'm afraid of coming back with what I found," he said, pointing over to his horse. Arthur moved his gaze to where Rhaegar pointed. He saw a woman lacing up her shoes.

"Who is that? The 'traitor'? You're not actually going to turn her in, are you?" Arthur asked him. "Who is it?"

Rhaegar shook his head. "I'm not turning her in. Lady Stark, allow me to introduce you to my most trusted kingsguard, Ser Arthur of House Dayne."

Arthur was surprised. A woman had been that rider? Not only a woman, but a daughter to a Great Lord and small in stature. "So you're the famed Knight of the Laughing Tree? The kingdom's been absolutely raving over you and your mystery." Arthur projected towards the woman emerging from behind the horse. She held herself high and looked Arthur in the eye with a face as hard as stone. She truly was a Stark.

"I was only rode for the honor of a man who was unable to do so for himself," she defended, stopping behind Rhaegar. Then she turned to the prince.

"I thought you weren't giving me up to the King," she said pointedly. Lady Stark turned back to Arthur. "Are you hear to escort me to King Aerys? One would think that after seeing me ride, you'd call for for another man."

Arthur smiled. "Oh, but my Lady, if I were here to take you to my King, I would have brought as many men as I could find. But I'll do as my prince orders." Lyanna raised an eyebrow at Arthur's response. Rhaegar just looked upon the both of them, amused.

Arthur broke the small silence as he started to walk toward the empty stall. "No, Lady Stark, I did not come here to answer a call from our Prince. I'm in search of someone. Not you, not Rhaegar. Though, I am looking for a Stark. I believe your brother and my sister may have been on gallivanting since your little shenanigans."

Lady Stark did something of a scoff. "Sounds like Brandon. You know he's intended for Catelyn Tully."

Ah, the wild wolf. Of course the world would assume at the big, handsome Brandon Stark would be the one to pressure his sister into something she shouldn't do. If this were Brandon that Arthur was looking for, he'd be enraged. He'd have the entirety of the Dayne guard searching them out. But this was Eddard Stark. It was différent.

"No, my Lady. You've got the wrong man in mind. I'm searching for the Quiet Wolf, Lord Ned Stark." Lyanna looked relived.

"Well, good Ser, I assure you that there Is no need to worry about Lady Dayne's honor. Ned would never besmirch himself, not anyone else," she promised him. Arthur grinned at her protective nature for her big brother.

"I know this, my Lady. If it were Brandon, I assure that I would have the castle combed," Arthur noted with a chuckled. Lyanna laughed to. "And I would help you, Ser."

"So how are you going to smuggle her back into the tourney?" Arthur asked, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword. His greatsword, Dawn felt oddly heavy on his back today

"I'm not," Rhaegar told him. "If I'm seen with her, she's caught. Though I'd usually escort her back, she'll return on her own and said the she was ill this past night. I'll return later empty handed. Everyone wins," he said dully.

"Except your father," Arthur noted darkly. Rhaegar nodded in agreement. "Except my father."

"He wouldn't have won anyway," Lyanna noted. "Not if he wanted Ser Jaime Lannister to be under the mask."

"He would have connected to to Jaime nevertheless, my Lady," Arthur told her, shaking his head. He felt bad for the lad. Jaime was a likable man and an excellent fighter. He wouldn't know if he was a good knight, but usually good squires make good knight. Jaime wasn't very good at the coming and going and serving part, but he was always one to be heroic, even when death was a possibility.

"And when he found his way to make you be Jaime Lannister..." Rhaegar trailed off," not wanting to hear the sentence end. Arthur didn't bother finishing it either, even though Lyanna looked absolutely bewildered. "You should go on Lyanna. The longer you're gone, the worse it will be."

She nodded. "You're right. I take my leave. Goodbye Rhaegar, Ser Arthur."

"Good luck, Lady Stark!" Arthur called after her. "Remember to be tactful about it, Lyanna!" was what Rhaegar called after her. The highborn Lady held up her hand to Rhaegar she opened the door to exit, rather than using the gate. "Don't worry, Prince. My family is quite used to my antics. I do hope we meet again."

Arthur watched as Rhaegar looked down at his feet and didn't bother to respond. When the door shut behind Lady Stark, Arthur looked to his friend. "What the hell has happened." Arthur could see the way Lyanna looked at Rhaegar and the way that Rhaegar looked at her. But it had to wait. Ned Stark entered the stable through the door and crossed over to unbar the gate. He didn't even notice that his prince and a golden adorned kingsguard stood on the hay-covered floor.

When the gate was opened, Ashara lead the horse into to the empty stable where she and Ned stopped in their tracks. Wide eyed and shocked, Ned straightened up. "My Prince," he greeted before his dipped his head. "Ser Arthur. My apologies for interrupting." Ashara smiled awkwardly at her brother and childhood friend.

"Oh no," Arthur said, taking some steps toward the two. "I do believe that we are the ones interrupting you. Wouldn't you agree?"

Ned, who was white faced and terrified, began to speak. Ashara put a hand on his chest and spoke instead. "I do believe you were, brother. Now, it you don't mind, we were putting our horse away and going to attend the next joust," she said easily, letting the mare into the stall and shutting the gate. When she tried to walk, Arthur held out a stiff arm, restricting her from doing so.

"Shara, you and Ned were gone for nearly twenty-four hours. Twenty-four hours, sister. The kingdom knows. What do you think they'll think?"

"Arthur, I assure you noth-"

"And I believe that," Arthur interrupted. "I trust this man," he said slapping Ned on the back, "to keep your honest company. But you've got yourself into quite a mess, sister. There is nothing I can do."

"Everything will be fine," Ashara assured. She turned to Ned. "Won't it, Ned?" The boy nodded with such great difficulty that Arthur thought he was going vomit. Arthur sighed. "Get on now. Elia has need of you."

"I will. Hold on," she said as he passed Arthur to go to Rhaegar. Ashara proceeded to whisper into his ear. "How did you know?" he responded.

"Ned," she answered. Rhaegar nodded and turned to Lord Eddard himself. "Your sister is fine. She's back at the tourney. Nothing will happen to her."

Ned looked very relieved. "Thank you, Prince Rhaegar."

"It was only my duty," he answered.

Without another word, the couple left the stables and back to the tourney greens. Shaking his head, Arthur turned back to his friend and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Again. What the hell has happened?"

The prince looked up at his and Arthur finally got a good look at him. The poor man had a heaviness on his shoulders. More so that usual. He hasn't been sleeping. There were dark circles under his eyes and his lids hung heavy. "Everything is happening, Arthur."

"Everything?" Arthur asked. "What do you mean?"

Rhaegar looked up his with eyes full of sadness and fear. "I have to tell you something, my friend."

Arthur could see the look in his eyes and he knew this was more serious than any Crown matter. "You can trust me."

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A/N: alright guys, how do you like it so far? Do you want more Targaryen magic from Rhaegar? More Ned and Ashara. More wild Lyanna? Who do you want more chapters of? More or less romance. There will be TONS of action coming- and romance. If you need help, I'm going to publish a little prelude that explained the politics of Westeros a little better. Let me know if you want that to be at the top of my list.

But anyway, I was thinking... whenever this war breaks out, I can make Ashara Dayne a Point of View Character, or I don't have to. If I don't, she won't be present for most of the war. She won't be important again until the end. But she can have chapters anyway. It's all a matter of how much you all like her. Same goes wit Lyanna. She'll still be a POV character, but won't be around as much for the pivotal plot. If you want more, please decide over the next few chapters to let me know, so I can throw some in.

And another thing: Do you guys like Author's Notes? I know a lot of people do. If you keep wanting them, I'll keep putting them. Any feed back is welcome and votes are necessary! Follow my profile to get any updates on story development!

The Tournament at Harrenhal is drawing to an end, so if you want some chapters solely focusing on some romance, you better ask for it, because war is about to outbreak.

JAIME LANNISTER will have the spotlight in the next chapter!!

Goodbye you guys and remember:

-Elise