The Chambers of Princess Elia Martell

Rhaegar poured himself and his wife a cup of wine. A strong Dornish red, to soothe both their nerves. Though never a great drinker, he gulped down a few mouthfuls as if he were dying of thirst.

”He would have you killed if he found the children gone.” He said, before taking another drink. ”We would have to find a convincing substitute for both without being discovered. And even then, we put another’s child in harms way.” He stared dispassionately into the bottom of his cup. In the dimming light of the evening, his eyes looked almost black.

”It may be our only option. I can get a man to find a ship out of the city, to Dragonstone or Sunspear.”

He moved to sit beside her and took her hand in his own, offering a tender squeeze for comfort. She had always been slight, but never weak, even when in the throes of childbirth when it seemed for all the world that she would not survive the ordeal. It was that inner steel that many underestimated. They saw only the beauty, the kindness and the frailty, and mistook it for weakness. The fires of passion had never burned hot between them, even in those giddy first month on Dragonstone when they spent their days abed 'searching for an heir' as the handmaidens had called it. But he cared for her, as those sacred vows they had both uttered in King Baelor's Sept had demanded. To see her so vulnerable felt like a hammer had caved in his chest and crushed his heart. 

"We have time enough yet, my dear." He said, smiling sadly as he brushed a her behind her cheek. Those purple pools of his looked at her strangely, as if seeing her again for the first time. "I will do what I can. Use your countrymen well. They love you too well to betray you."

To share a few tender moments with his wife was an escape for Rhaegar, a glimpse into a future in which this storm in the False Spring did not cloud their heads. Then came thoughts unbidden, of regret, grief, and guilt. That fate meant something else for him, alive or dead. The thought of Lyanna, alone in her Tower of Joy. It was a selfish fantasy, and it melted away before him like summer snow.

"I will spare you the details of what I will do." He said grimly, breaking the spell. "That way you will not have to lie, or be sullied by such low doings." Painstakingly, he rose from where they had curled up together.

"Will you take me to the children? I should see them. It may be..." He paused, and he caught himself. "The last time for some time, if all goes well."

Rhaegar laughed as he threw Rhaenys in the air, his eldest daughter giggling with delight.

"You've grown, little dragon." He cooed, messing her soft dark hair. She could walk and talk now, or make a decent enough attempt of it. There was much he had missed.

" And good of you to join us too, Prince Egg." The Prince smiled sadly as his fair-haired son crawled over, wide eyed and inquisitive, babbling the nonsense of children. For a time he sat with them both, entertaining them with toys and games.

King Aerys enters the princess's apartments, flanked by Ser Gerold Hightower, not waiting to formally be invited. He snarls at Elia, beady eyes burning with anger.

"What are you and that foolish son of mine planning?! Skulking around in the dark to hire assassins? Usurping my authority from me? Here I thought Baratheon was the arch-traitor, but now I see... oh, now I truly see. My own flesh and blood conspire against me."

He points a gnarled finger at her.

"You will tell me everything and you will tell me now! Unless you want to see your children burn."

"Playing coy, are we? You can't fool me, I know every little secret that goes on in this keep. Rhaegar has gathered the whole realm to usurp my throne and make that Stark girl his queen."

Aerys started to walk about restlessly, nervously biting his long nails.

"And you... some little birds have told me what you're up to. Sending your men into the city on some skullduggery. Either you're planning to usurp me, or... you're planning to escape King's Landing. Which is it, spit it out!"