Chapter Text
Princess Lorezza's hands shook with anger as she read the letter. It was a rejection letter from King Aerys, informing her of broken betrothal between her daughter and Prince Rhaegar. Apparently a Valyrian bride had been found in Essos and King Aerys had no intention of 'polluting his bloodline with their Dornish blood'.
Lorezza tore the letter apart.
When King Aerys rejected Cersei Lannister as a bride for Rhaegar, she saw an opportunity. To increase Dorne's standing and get revenge on Tywin Lannister. After all, both Elia and Oberyn had been rejected by Tywin as he wanted Cersei to wed Rhaegar and insulted Elia because of her health.
Though as angry as she was, Lorezza understood Elia's frail health would make the lords uneasy. They wouldn't see the value of an alliance with Dorne if the bride wasn't able to produce healthy heirs.
A first son wasn't an option.
But a second one...
It could work. A second son wouldn't have as many obligations as an heir and it could still form an alliance for Dorne.
Where though?
She refused to entertain Westerlands. She wouldn't subject her daughter to Tywin Lannister's reign.
Iron Islands weren't to be considered, even under pain of death and torture.
Reach had many great houses and a lot of options. They were also very wealthy. But Tyrells had the Queen of Thornes as their matriarch and there was no way she was going to let that woman use her daughter for her ends. She would probably have Doran and his wife killed to put her blood in Dorne.
The Crownlands was also out of question. She wasn't going to send Elia anywhere near Aerys after he made his distate for Dornish clear.
Tullys had an heir and Hoster Tully's ambitions could convince him to take her daughter as bride but their power was tenuous at best. It was one of the reasons Lord Tully was seeking heirs of other kingdoms for his daughters.
That didn't leave many options.
Only Vale, Stormlands and...
North.
Dorne had never had an alliance with North. But it seemed to check all the boxes.
Lord Stark had a second son, named Eddard who was being fostered in Eyrie with Jon Arryn, one of the most honorable man in Westeros.
North was far enough from King's Landing, from Aerys.
Starks bred very strong loyalty from their bannermen so their position was secure.
And it would bring Riverlands, Vale and Stormlands closer to them as well.
Robert Baratheon, Lord of Stormlands, was Eddard Stark's foster brother and his brother was marrying Catelyn Tully.
It was advantageous.
She wrote to Lord Stark, asking him to summon his son back to North so that he and Elia could meet and they could discuss a betrothal.
She could have taken Elia to Vale but Eddard Stark wasn't going to live in Vale when he wed. He was Northerner and Elia needed to see the lands she would live in if they wed.
***
Rickard Stark read the letter and read it again to make sure he didn't misunderstand. Then he took a parchment and a quil to summon his son back home.
A Princess of Dorne was being offered to his son, his second son. This was an opportunity he couldn't pass.
***
Elia Martell would never judge North for its traditions, religion or weather.
She wasn't a hypocrite. She didn't like it when the rest of the kingdoms judged Dorne that way.
On some level she could understand why her mother chose North. This was a kingdom where Game of Thrones wasn't played. People were blunt, honest so she wouldn't have to endure fake smiles as much as she might have had to in King's Landing. Loyalty to the Starks was strong.
And a second son.
Oberyn had been enraged.
"Elia deserves better than the second son of some barren, cold, distant nowhere." he had said.
Now he was at Sunspear, sulking. Her mother hadn't been impressed with his conduct. He was the reason Baelor Hightower wasn't an option for her.
She didn't mind a second son though. A second son wouldn't have the obligations of an heir so if she didn't have children, it wouldn't be too detrimental. There could still be resentment but not as much as it would have been had she wed his brother Brandon or Prince Rhaegar.
He had also been raised by Jon Arryn, a man whose house words were "As high as honour". She didn't believe he would mistreat her.
Still, it was too early to say anything. She needed to meet him first before deciding on anything.
***
Ned Stark wasn't sure how to react to the situation. When the letter from his father arrived, he couldn't believe what was written. Robert laughed and congratulated him on scoring a Dornish princess without even meeting her.
Now he was back in Winterfell, under the roof of the father who hadn't been much of a father to him ever since he had been sent to Eyrie.
When the ruling Princess of Dorne and Princess Elia left the wheelhouse, he cleared his head from his thoughts. No matter what he might feel about his father's actions, he was a Stark of Winterfell and he would do his duty.
He greeted the princess and her mother accordingly along with his siblings.
He offered the princess a tour of Winterfell -having been brought up to speed about everything new that had happened in his absence by Brandon and Benjen.
As they conversed, he realized the princess wasn't what he had expected. He expected a shallow, vain girl who would never be satisfied with North but the Elia Martell was kind, witty and respectful. She didn't turn away in fear or disgust when he showed her the Godswood, unlike Catelyn Tully. She wasn't rude to the staff in Winterfell. And to his relief, she had no resentment towards him for being the second son who would become a bannerman to his brother in the future.
During the dinner, his father and Princess Lorezza announced that Elia would stay in Winterfell for the next six moons. If both of them were in favor of the match, then they would be betrothed.
It was obvious his father was displeased. He wanted to seal the alliance right away but it seemed like Elia's mother wasn't willing to sell her like cattle.
Ned knew he would have to convince the princess somehow, his father would never be satisfied with the friendship he and Elia could form in the next six moons.
***
Lyanna decided that not all Southerners were as bad as Catelyn Tully.
She liked Elia.
Despite being raised as a princess, Elia Martell was down to Earth. She understood North's ways of life and survival better than Tully trout did, likely because Dorne had its own ways to handle the harsh conditions they experienced.
She also didn't believe that Lyanna should conform to the ways of a Southern lady. Dornish was different from the rest of the South. They could see that a woman could be more than a broodmare. They didn't differentiate between genders when it came to inheritance.
It was so nice to have someone who understood her, someone like a big sister.
'Ned had better succeed in charming her.' Lyanna thought. 'I want Elia as a sister.'
***
The first month had passed quickly and North was growing on Elia.
It had a beauty that only Northerner or Dornish could understand.
She also felt a lot better. She traded warm for cold and it seemed like cold was more health friendly.
Of course she was aware there was more to it but she didn't understand why North treated her health better. Maybe in Dorne she had been exposed to something that made her worse. She couldn't think of anything though.
Then someone knocked her door, clearing her head from these thoughts.
"Come in." she said and Lyanna entered.
Elia allowed herself a small genuine smile.
Lyanna was the most open person in Winterfell.
Rickard Stark was as ambitious as most Southern Lords, Brandon Stark treated her befitting her station but it was obvious he didn't favor another Southern match. Anyone else would take offense. She had at first as well. Then she realized it had more to do with his dissatisfaction with his own betrothal than herself. Benjen Stark was a nice boy but he was even younger than Lyanna so they didn't spend a lot of time together.
As for Ned Stark?
Elia wondered if he did anything other than brooding. He always treated her with respect and tried to get to know her but it seemed like he had no idea how to talk to a woman.
"Which lesson are you running from now?" She asked Lyanna, instead of losing herself in her thoughts.
Lyanna put on a mocking-hurt face. "Me? I would never. I always attend my lessons."
"Really? I can swear that Lady Poole was looking all over for you for your embroidery lessons just yesterday." Elia said.
Lyanna pouted but didn't deny. She was a terrible liar. "I attend the important lessons. I never miss sword-figthing, history-"
"No matter how boring the Maestar Walys can be?" Elia asked.
"I swear, I wouldn't dare miss that one." Lyanna said. Elia nodded. She knew Lyanna was telling the truth. She only slacked embroidery. She wasn't empty-headed. She was smart but immature and had a lot of growing up to do.
"Lya, believe me. Once you are pregnant and too big to stand, you'll be glad that you can do something."
"There is still time for that. And I can always read. Aegon and his sisters have many books written about them that I am yet to read."
"Yes, but you cannot make cute clothes for your babes with those books." Elia said. She had noticed that while Lyanna didn't seem to like the idea of marriage, she would love to have a baby. Unfortunately for her, considering her station the latter couldn't happen without the former.
It seemed like they entered a territory Lyanna didn't want to stay in as she quickly changed the subject. "Have you managed to make my brooding brother laugh yet?"
"Does a smile count?" Elia asked.
Lyanna shook her head with a smile on her face. "I know it's a hard task but I am sure you can manage. Ned might have spent most his time in Vale but it was me who wrote him most of his letters. Benjen couldn't remember him well and it felt odd to him to write to stranger. Brandon was too busy chasing after Barbrey Ryswell to write. So let me give you some clues." Lyanna said. "We are running out of time."
"Why are we running out of time? I am still here for five moons at least." Elia said.
Lyanna sheepishly looked at her. "I and Brandon have a dare. I told him you would be able to get Ned to have a laugh, a real laughter not a smile in three months. He said it would happen towards the end of your stay." Lyanna said.
"And you want to win because..." She asked. Lyanna would want to win out of pride alone but she seemed to be excited about something.
Lyanna stopped for a second, as if she wanted to weight the risk of telling her. "Brandon promised me a sword, my very own sword." She said eventually.
Elia could see why that would excite Lyanna. "Well then, you better start educating me on your brother. Yoe deserve a sword and I find Brandon's lack of faith in my abilities insulting." Elia said with a teasing smile to show she was only joking.
***
A few days later, Elia succeeded. She had to admit, it was beautiful to see him laugh, be carefree and happy.
Maybe this would work.
Elia could imagine a life with Ned Stark.
(From the corner of her eye, she saw a smug Lyanna leaving with an annoyed Brandon.
'Unbowed, Unbent and Unbroken. Lord Brandon. You should never underestimate the power of sun.' She thought.)
***
Six moons passed. She approved of the match and her mother finalized the betrothal contract with Rickard Stark.
Her brideprice would be used to renovate Moat Cailin where she and Ned would reside one day.
North and Dorne would have an agreement to trade minerals from its mines and timber for dragon glass and exotic fruit.
They also discussed a military alliance. Northern soldiers would be sent to train in Dorne in certain numbers for some time and Dornish soldiers would be sent to North for the same purpose. Both countries had harsh climates to take advantage of in case of an attack. However, they both had difficulties when they needed to fight outside of these conditions. So to learn to wield different weapons as well as get familiar with the opposite conditions, this arrangement was made.
***
Unfortunately it would take some time to completely rebuild Moat Cailin meaning until then she and Ned would have to stay in Winterfell.
It wasn't such a bad thing actually.
Rickard Stark included her and Ned in gatherings he had with his bannermen in Great Hall which gave her a chance to know the Northerners better. They weren't enthusiastic about another Southern bride but she was confident she would be able to charm them in time.
Lyanna, Benjen and Brandon were good company to have.
Especially Lyanna, both girls had grown up among brothers without any sisters. Having one was nice for them.
Unfortunately, a certain trout was making the atmosphere unbearable.
It seemed like Catelyn Tully didn't like her presence, perceived her as a threat.
It was normal. After all Elia was a princess, a princess of the kingdom Targaryens couldn't conquer but be forced to bind them to the iron throne through marriage.
She was descendant from kings and queens when Tullys were an upstart house elavated by Targaryens.
It was normal but also annoying.
Elia didn't let Catelyn Tully's childish nature get to her. She was a Martell, unbowed, unbent and unbroken.
But she wouldn't tolerate it if Catelyn Tully crossed the line.
***
She and Ned wed finally.
It was a modest ceremony.
Northerners didn't like frivolousness.
She thought of all the food and water in Sunspear, available to her and her family.
Then she thought of the rest of Dorne. Not nobles but commoners, people without such access to food and water.
She knew from her own experiences and their trips to nearby villages and towns with Ned that Starks and most of the noble houses in North took care of the smallfolk personally. Not always of course, their other duties prevented that but Northern lords were showing a care for smallfolk that Elia rarely saw in South.
She wrote to her mother next morning, advising her to limit their spending.
Dorne might not have winters like North but the summer's sun could be just as merciless as winter's cold.
***
Robert Baratheon was a disaster.
He had come to Winterfell for her and Ned's wedding. It didn't take long for her to realize why her mother didn't choose him.
She was sure Robert Baratheon slept with at least 8 serving girls. In a way he was like Oberyn. Her brother's sexual tastes could never be satisfied either. There was more to Oberyn than that and she was sure the same held true for Robert Baratheon. She didn't believe Ned would be so close to him if that wasn't the case.
But a wife couldn't endure such a husband. Elia knew Lyanna wouldn't.
And there was more to the situation.
Lyanna, who never saw anything of the South beyond the Riverlands.
Lyanna whose Northern ways would never be approved of or appreciated in South.
Lyanna who would be turned into someone she wasn't because of the pressures of the lords and ladies of Stormlands.
'No,' she thought. She wouldn't let that happen.
Whatever betrothal Rickard Stark was thinking about arranging had to be stopped before being formalized.
***
Rickard Stark was having second thoughts about the betrothal too but for entirely different reasons.
After the wedding, an uneasy feeling settled on his mind. He had initially planned to have Eddard and Benjen wed to Northern ladies to pacify his bannermen but in this case only Benjen would be available. It wasn't enough.
Elia's report about what she had heard from them during their wedding was confirming it.
He needed to increase North's bonds with South for winter but he couldn't afford to antagonize his bannermen either.
He thought for a moment.
Hornwood heir was still unwed and Cerwyns had a daughter for Benjen.
***
Not long after Brandon's wedding to Catelyn Tully and the official betrothal of Lyanna to Halys Hornwood, Lord Whent organized a tourney at Harrenhall.
Years later, when Elia looked back, she could trace the fire that lit the Rebellion and the fall of Targaryen dynasty to that tourney.
Many whispered Prince Rhaegar organized the tourney to call for a Great Council and force his father off the throne.
Unfortunately whispers proved to be dangerous when Varys informed the king and Aerys showed up at the tourney.
Then there was Lyanna, Oberyn and the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
Elia remembered thinking that if her mother managed to find a more advantageous marriage for her, they could still have an alliance with North through Oberyn and Lyanna.
It was a good thing it didn't come to pass.
She was so angry when she found Lyanna trying to get rid of the armor and Oberyn helping her. She thanked the Gods, new and old, every day for having her find them instead of someone else.
She understood why Lyanna did it. She had been there when Lyanna had brought Howland Reed to their tent and explained the situation. She agreed that those squires needed a lesson but this was too dangerous. If Aerys wasn't present, it wouldn't be a problem but he was. And it took one small act, like Lyanna's refusal to reveal her identity, to cause him to declare the knight a traitor.
"We can't let anyone, squire or not, insult our people like that. As a Stark of Winterfell, I have a duty to our bannermen." Lyanna said and Elia genuinely admired her devotion to her people. She had seen long ago that people of North were loyal to the Starks because the Starks were loyal to them. But this kind of recklessness?
"Lyanna, you didn't just teach those squires a lesson, you made yourself a target of the king! What if someone else found you? You could have been burnt alive!" Elia said angrily.
She looked at Oberyn. She could cut Lyanna some slack. She was a sheltered girl who didn't know anything about the dangers in South and driven by a desire to defend her friend. Oberyn, on the other hand, knew how risky this had been and instead of trying to knock some sense into Lyanna, he egged her on.
For his own amusement probably.
"Oberyn, go back to mother's tent and behave. If you participate in something like this again, I'll tell her and she will get you straight." She said and sent her brother away. She turned to Lyanna. "And you aren't leaving my sight for the rest of the tourney." She said.
She was thankful it was her and Ned who brought North and Dorne together. Lyanna and Oberyn were too impulsive and reckless. They didn't stop to think about the consequences of their actions. If they wed, they probably would set the entire realm ablaze with their actions.
***
The rest of the tourney was eventless.
Aerys was still muttering about treason, fire and the knight but no one had a clue about his identity.
They still thought it was a man.
It was good.
The most spectacular event of Aerys's reign ended with Ser Jaime Lannister winning the tourney and crowning his sister the Queen of Love and Beauty, invoking a great applause.
Elia was among those who cheered but when she looked at Cersei, looked at her in the eyes, she couldn't help but feel something wasn't right.
***
Their return to North had Lyanna become a bride and Elia a future mother.
Rickard Stark was estatic at the news of his first grandchild.
"Are you happy about being a grandfather or getting a new pawn to move across cyvasse board?" Elia heard Lyanna mutter.
Elia wondered the same thing but knew both she and Lyanna were being unfair to Rickard Stark. He had to rule the largest kingdom in Westeros. His wife's death meant the loss of a confidante and partner. And no one, including a father, could ever replace a mother in a child's life. He was doing his best for all the roles he had to play in his life despite the loss he had.
Elia didn't want to imagine what her life would have been like if her mother had died early like Lyarra Stark.
Unfortunately she would have to endure such a life.
Two weeks after she sent word about her pregnancy to Dorne, Doran wrote to her.
Their mother was dead.
***
Elia's first pregnancy was not easy on her. Her mother's death and the fact that she couldn't travel to Dorne to attend her funeral made her emotional state worse.
She was grateful to Ned for allowing her to have a symbolic ceremony in the Godswood for her mother.
He had offered to take her to the Sept in White Harbor at first, knowing she was of the Seven. Elia declined though. Dornish had never been devout in their faith to Seven, choosing to keep more to their Rhoynish heritage.
Nothing could ease the ache in her heart though.
Her mother was gone, dead before she could see her grandchild.
Dead, dead, dead.
The word echoed in her head for days.
Her baby and husband were the only ones who kept her going.
***
Birthing bed was difficult, but not for the reasons she thought as she pushed the baby out.
It wasn't because of her health.
It was because there were two babies.
A boy and a girl.
Men usually took more notice of their sons. Even in Dorne where gender didn't affect the succession, most would prefer a boy as an heir over a girl. But her husband proved to be an exception. He seemed captivated by Sansa.
Their darling girl and her younger brother Robb.
Sansa and Robb Stark.
Born of Martell and Stark blood.
***
Catelyn Stark was an unbearable woman. Elia made up her mind on that subject.
She was sure Lyanna was glad to be married off and living with her husband as she no longer had to endure her.
The trout lady had been annoyed that Ned and her wedding took place before hers did. Obviously feeling entitled as she was to marry Brandon Stark, heir to North.
Then she was pregnant. That was another sour point for Catelyn. Because once again the second son and his wife beat her and Brandon to something.
At least she had the grace not to bother her after she learnt of her mother's death. But that civility didn't last.
The fact that she had two children and that one of them was a boy didn't sit well with the future Lady of Winterfell.
She knew people in Winterfell were gossiping, lords and ladies of Great Houses all across North already disliked Brandon and Catelyn's marriage because of her devotion to the Seven and her outrageous request of having a sept built in Winterfell. The fact that fragile Princess of Dorne gave birth to two healthy children before Catelyn was even pregnant ignited a cruel gossip about her childbearing abilities.
She pitied Catelyn for the position she was in but that didn't mean she was going to let her walk all over her.
She might be Lady Elia Stark now but she was born Princess Elia Nymeros Martell. Her marriage didn't change that and no one could disrespect her so openly and get away with it.
Her patience was wearing thin. Catelyn Tully wouldn't have another chance.
***
It didn't take long for tragedy to strike.
Aerys invited Brandon Stark, Elbert Arryn, Kyle Royce and Jeffory Mallister to the King's Landing.
To be executed.
It was said to be awful.
Aerys accused the four men of treason.
In his eyes these men were conspiring with the Knight of the Laughing Tree.
They demanded trial by combat, only to have fire as champion of House Targaryen.
Aerys's paranoia was getting worse and Varys was only feeding it.
Then Aerys demanded more death.
He demanded Catelyn Stark, Eddard Stark, Elia Stark and Robert Baratheon to be turned over to him to stand trial for treason.
It ensured the toppling of the Targaryen Dynasty.
North, Dorne, Vale, Riverlands and Stormlands rose up in rebellion.
Iron Islands were neutral.
Tywin Lannister was waiting for the right moment.
Reach and Crownlands raised their banners for the crown.
***
Her good-father and Ned went to war, leaving Benjen and her at Winterfell to take care of North in their absence.
Upon Hoster Tully's request, Catelyn was to stay in Winterfell until the end of the war for her safety.
Elia didn't doubt their chances.
Half the realm was on their side. Reach could raise many soldiers, but with that oaf Mace Tyrell leading them their chances of success was not high.
The reason for worry was the Lannisters.
Tywin Lannister was a ruthless man with high ambitions and a son as a hostage in Red Keep.
Elia remembered Jaime Lannister vaguely. He might have been the man she wed if Tywin Lannister hadn't insulted them.
And she knew the Kingsguard was no place for Jaime.
Jaime had a good heart underneath all his smugness and arrogance.
She remembered how enthusiastic he had been when he had told her of his plans of becoming a knight and a kingsguard during her family's visit to the Rock years ago. He had been completely unaware of their true nature.
Now he was alone with a mad king, burdened with the duty of protecting him.
Barristan Selmy, Oswell Whent and Gerold Hightower were at Prince Rhaegar's side.
Her brother sent word to Arthur Dayne and her uncle Lewyn Martell, reminding them of their Dornish heritage and the oaths they took as knights before the oaths of Kingsguard.
Jonothor Darry was at Dragonstone for the Queen and Prince Viserys.
She wondered how this would end for the Targaryens.
Aerys's death was an assured outcome if they won.
After that, she wasn't sure what would happen.
Would Prince Rhaegar become King? Could Aerys's supporters have Viserys declared as king above Rhaegar and his son Prince Aegon?
Or would the Targaryen dynasty be deposed and a new dynasty be established?
She knew it was impossible, knew that it was a fool's wish but she hoped that at the end of all this, everything would be alright.
***
A few days later, Lyanna made an appearance at Winterfell.
After she wed Halys Hornwood, Lyanna was happy.
Halys was a faithful husband, who saw Lyanna as a partner instead of a broodmare.
She was allowed to be a Northern lady as Lord Hornwood -being a Northerner- appreciated Lyanna's northern ways more than he would like the delicacy of a Southern flower.
When he left for war, Lyanna was pregnant and young pregnancies were dangerous. She almost miscarried twice and the pregancy was progressing with more difficulty than anyone expected. Lyanna was healthy, healthier than Elia ever was. But it seemed like her body wasn't well-suited to carry a child.
Before Halys answered the call of banners, the maester emphasized the importance of Lyanna not stressing herself for the baby's health. Thus the castellan of the Hornwood Castle was Lady Berena Hornwood, his sister and the future wife of Leobald Tallhart.
Because of this, Lyanna's arrival caused surprise and worry. Thankfully she used a small wheel-house instead of riding herself.
"I have been begging Berena to let me go to Winterfell since the war started. Unfortunately according to the maester, the baby was at its most vulnerable during the first three moons." Lyanna said. After Maester Luwin -who replaced Walys after his unexpected death- checked Lyanna, Elia and Benjen took her to Lord's solar.
"Why?" Elia asked, not unkindly. It wasn't like they left the rest of North in dark. Whenever Ned or Lord Stark wrote them, Elia informed every house in North of the developments so it was unnecessary to come to Winterfell for it.
"The knight." Lyanna whispered and Elia understood.
"Lyanna, don't think so highly of yourself. You aren't the reason for this war." Elia said.
"But-"
"Listen to me Lyanna. This rebellion was in years of making. Aegon Targaryen and his sisters conquered with fire and blood but you cannot rule with it. Aenys was weak, Faith rose up against him and there are still rumors that it was Visenya Targaryen who murdered him. Then there is Visenya's son Maegor the Cruel. They didn't call him that for nothing. The realm couldn't handle his reign and all the kingdoms were united against him before he could even see seven years on the throne. Imagine how much worse than Aerys he must have been. Jaehaerys and his wife Alysanne stole the lands of the new Gift from your people. Their actions starved thousands of Northerners and didn't even benefit the Night's Watch. They never had the manpower or the men with necessary knowledge to utilize the Gift. Viserys Targaryen? The less said about him, the better. He caused the Dance of the Dragons with his actions. Aegon and Rhaenyra plunged the realm into a civil war without a care for how the smallfolk would be affected." Elia stopped to see if her words were getting through Lyanna. "Five Blackfyre rebellions, Dornish wars which saw thousands dead on both sides and now Aerys. Aerys who loved burning people, not just commoners but also nobles. Aerys burnt lords based on whispers from Varys, Lyanna. He burnt hands he didn't like. He burnt anyone who was against him. It was only matter of time before he burnt the wrong people and ignited a revolt."
"Lya," Benjen started. "Aerys's paranoia was out of control and Prince Rhaegar refused to take action against his father. Taking the actions of previous Targaryen kings into account, a rebellion was only a matter of time."
Lyanna noded. She still seemed doubtful but Elia was sure once she thought on what they said, she would see they were right. Lyanna's stunt as the Knight of the Laughing Tree could have added to it but that alone was hardly a reason to rebel. People were only looking for a more unifying reason to get rid of Aerys at that point.
Lyanna left for her chamber and Elia wrote a letter to Berena Hornwood, telling her that Lyanna was going to stay in Winterfell for the rest for her pregnancy.
"Do you think it is the end of the Targaryen rule?" Benjen asked. Elia looked at him. She had never considered how the Targaryen kings history could affect the rebellion. She had foolishly hoped that they could treat with Prince Rhaegar who was said to be a reasonable man and end the conflict as peacefully as possible.
Some Targaryen kings had plunged the realm into chaos but there were those who had ruled wisely as well. Unfortunately pain left a greater mark on people's memories than any good could. If she added opportunistic and greedy men like Tywin Lannister into account, what was the likelihood of Targaryen dynasty surviving?
"Yes. The fall of Dragons will open many doors for lords of Westeros. And no oath, no loyatly can stand in the way of greed."
***
As the war progressed, people grew more worried, more agitated. All they could think about was what would happen if the lost. Would Aerys continue as king? Would Rhaegar take his place? Would he see that rebellion was just after his father's atrocities or defend him?
The questions were plaguing half the realm and Elia had the answer they desperately wanted to hear.
After writing to every house in North, she made her way to the Great Hall to adress the people of Winterfell.
Only to be blocked by Catelyn Tully on the way.
The trout had behaved exemplary after Lyanna's arrival but after her good-sister gave birth to a boy whom she named Jon after several letter exchanged with her husband, her jealousy showed itself again.
If Catelyn had given birth to a boy, her son would be the heir of Winterfell over Ned. While Elia wasn't a cruel woman, she was thankful Catelyn never got pregnant. She didn't want to imagine what that devout follower of Seven would do to North if she had become the Lady Protector of North.
"There is news from Ned." she said with a smile and was about to ask them to join her in the Great Hall when the trout opened her mouth.
"Yes, the second son who has been elavated to the status of heir." she said bitterly.
Elia's smile disappeared. "Speak plainly Lady Catelyn, people of Winterfell are eager to hear news and I have no intention of making them wait for your nonsense." she said, making Catelyn clench her teeth in anger. Elia was fully aware of what she was implying. She had grown up in South where word play and hidden meanings were common but she wanted to see if Catelyn Tully was stupid enough to actually accuse her or Ned.
"It is obvious, is it not? I understood something was wrong when a Princess of Dorne was marrying the second son of North. I only didn't realize how far you would go. YOUR FAMILY SOLD LIES TO KING AERYS DID THEY NOT?!" She started yelling and attracted the attention of people. "TO MAKE YOUR HUSBAND THE WARDEN OF THE NORTH! WITH BRANDON DEAD, EDDARD STARK IS THE NEXT HEIR! MARK MY WORDS ELIA MARTELL, HOUSE TULLY WILL NOT LET THIS STAND!" Catelyn Tully was still screaming and throwing accusations at her.
From the corner of her eye, she could see Lyanna giving Jon to Maester Luwin to punch her without risking Jon but after all the insults that were laid at her feet, it was Elia's right.
And Elia did exactly that to the shock of everyone watching it. It was understandable. No one expected the kind and sweet Elia Martell to physically hurt someone. And definitely not as hard as she did. Catelyn Tully was on the ground, looking at her in shock.
"You will do well to remember your place Lady Catelyn." Unlike the trout, she wasn't screaming but her voice was cold and as hard as steel. "If I wanted, I could have wed a Dornish Lord or a lord from Reach. I could even wed Robert Baratheon and become Lady of Stormlands. My family isn't an upstart house elevated by Targaryens. Unlike you, I didn't lack suitors. My mother chose North because it was in Dorne's interests. I chose Ned because I believed that he would make a good husband, a good father and a good lord." Elia said.
She looked around. Lyanna was smirking. She was obviously enjoying Catelyn's humiliation. Most of the people of Winterfell who witnessed the confrontation seemed to be doing so but they were more discreet in their glee. Catelyn was still a highborn lady.
"We have offered you every curtsy you are owed as a guest and widow of my late good-brother but that doesn't mean you have any power here. I don't know what your lord father has told you but being the Lady of Winterfell was never your right and the North isn't a kingdom for you to change according to your delusions. It's high time accept that." Elia said.
Catelyn still seemed unable to understand though. What was Rickard Stark thinking, betrothing her to his heir?
"I was Brandon's wife. Until Lord Stark and Lord Eddard return, I should be in charge of Winterfell, I was Lady of Winterf-"
"YOU ARE NOT!" It wasn't Elia who yelled but Benjen. "My late lady mother was Lady of Winterfell. After her death, my father took no wife and thus, my sister Lyanna as the eldest and only daughter of my lord father became the Lady of Winterfell. Being the heir's wife doesn't grant you that title. Even if it did, Brandon is-" Benjen stopped there. It was still hard for him, to admit that his oldest brother was gone. "You didn't bear him any children either." He continued, refusing to say that he was dead. "Whatever power you might have had is gone and like my good-sister said, it is time you wake up." Benjen said.
An overwhelming silence took over. Elia decided to take charge and adress those around her.
"People of Winterfell, please go to the Great Hall, you too Lady Catelyn. There is news from my lord husband that everyone needs to hear."
***
"Prince Rhaegar is dead and the loyalist forces are scattered. Our forces are making their way towards the King's Landing." she said. "They declared Robert Baratheon as their king."
People started to celebrate but Lyanna had a question that Elia didn't wish to ponder upon.
"What will happen to the Targaryen children in this case?" she asked. From the worry on her face, she could see that Lyanna feared they would be made to pay for Aerys's sins. She had no pity, no mercy for Aerys but the children were another matter.
"Princess Rhaenys and Princess Visenya will probably be kept alive for future sons of Robert Baratheon. It will bolster their claim. Prince Aegon and Prince Viserys will be sent to the Wall once they grow up." Elia said.
It was the best outcome for them but a voice inside her head bothered her. Would the lords of the rebellion wait that long? It would take years for Prince Viserys to reach fourteen and be sent to the Wall, even longer with baby Prince Aegon. Anything could happen in that time. Would remaining loyalists rise up in their name or accept Robert as king? Would any of the rebel lords want to take the chance of another war?
She knew Ned wouldn't accept the murder of the children but Ned wasn't the only lord of the rebellion and Robert Baratheon was chosen as king, not him. Would Robert show those children any mercy?
***
When Ned returned, it was a bittersweet reunion. He came back a victor but also with the remains of his brother and... father.
Lord Rickard Stark was dead.
Brandon Stark's death made Ned new heir to Winterfell.
His father's death made him Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
"I don't know how to do this." Ned said as they laid on their bed. He put on a brave face all day. He didn't show the people of Winterfell the doubts in his head. But now that he was alone with his wife, he could be open.
Elia held her husband's hand. "You aren't alone. I am here. Benjen is here." He would be gone in a few years. After the reconstruction of Moat Cailin was finished, he and Jonelle Cerwyn would live there as its lord and lady. But there was some time for that. "We will help you. You might be the Warden of the North but that doesn't mean you have to carry the burden all alone."
A new chapter was beginning in their lives.