Nightingale

Love art | Love fiction

[nightingale-lark]

Papa

Jon was a quiet and observant babe, but every now and then he would babble for attention. 

"Papa… papa… papa" he repeated excitedly as he spotted Arthur entering their little cottage, raising his chubby arms to be lifted in the air.

"It seems Jon missed you very much today" Lyanna remarked with a smile as she continued to set their table for dinner.

Even after a long day out on the water, earning coin as a fisherman, Arthur never seemed too tired to care for Jon. He smiled as he reached the young boy, lifting him up in the air and placing a kiss on his forehead.

Arthur was so good with the babe… a natural… Lyanna could see the pride on his face whenever Jon called him "Papa". He was Jon's father in every way that mattered, yet she wished to see Arthur with children of his own blood - his and hers. 

[nightingale-lark]

Unexpected Happiness

Wild and wilful as she was, Lyanna anticipated an unhappy marriage when she was wed to Robert. Her Lord father often warned her that no Lord husband would tolerate her wolf’s blood. 

What she found in Robert surprised her. He simply laughed when he saw her with a tourney sword and insisted on correcting her form. Daily sword lessons followed as did hunting and riding trips across Storm’s End. Robert granted her every unladylike wish, much to her father’s displeasure. 

They still found reasons to fight, for neither Robert nor Lyanna had control of their tempers. But quiet apologies and sweet moments swiftly followed. 

It wasn’t long before Lyanna found herself with child. Jon Baratheon was born in their first year of marriage, black of hair and blue of eyes, just like his father. 

Happiness was not something Lyanna expected when she became Lady of Storm’s End, but she was grateful for the life and love she had been given.

[nightingale-lark]

Jealousy

"Prompt: Arthur x Lyanna: he's jealous" 

Arthur's POV

He was jealous. He would finally admit to himself if not to anyone else. He was jealous. He never liked the attention men paid Lyanna - their intentions were obviously far from honourable. But the growing friendship between Lyanna and the local blacksmith's apprentice was something else. There was genuine camaraderie and affection between them. They were of an age and lately he often saw them in conversation. This was one of those moments and Arthur couldn't help but frown when a deep blush spread across Lyanna's cheeks and a look of guilt flashed across her face when she noted his gaze.

They had been travelling together for a year and a half now, posing as a family. Jon had violet eyes and claiming him and his mother as his own seemed like the most practical option. At the time, his only thought was their safety and his duty to protect them.

There were moments they shared that made Arthur want more, but duty and honor held him back. He could not dishonor Lyanna. He was here in Essos to protect her and her infant son, not to fall in love with her or the life they made for themselves. He should not be jealous, he told himself. Lyanna was not his to have and hold. Jon was not his son. He was their guardian.

Lyanna's POV

She didn't like the way women in the market flirted with Arthur - the way they would bat their eyelashes at him and find reasons to brush their hands over his arms. Arthur seemed somewhat oblivious to their attention, unaware of his own appeal. He simply held Jon close and politely moved on to the next stall. Arthur was undeniably handsome with striking violet eyes and a strong jaw. Yet it was his gentle kindness and his shy smile that made Lyanna's heart flutter.

They were at the markets today, on Lyanna's insistence. She often wandered away from Arthur when they were in the town square - usually in search of foods or spices - but she always kept him in her line of sight, just as Arthur kept her in his. She was not surprised by the women taking advantage of her absence, especially since her presence rarely changed their behaviour. But today she was on a mission and she hoped Arthur would not see her at the forge. Arthur's name day was tomorrow and she wished to collect the new spearhead she had commissioned for him. He was a fisherman now and spearfishing was part of his trade. 

When she saw Arthur frowning at her, she realised she had not been as stealthy as she had hoped. She discreetly paid Theo for the spearhead and made her way back to Arthur and Jon's side. “I think it’s time for this one’s supper” she said, as she gently tickled Jon’s tummy to make him laugh. Arthur couldn’t help but smile when Jon laughed and this made Lyanna smile in turn. Lyanna loved her little family and hoped that one day Arthur could love her as she loved him.

[nightingale-lark]

Beautiful. Lyanna was beautiful. The whole realm could attest to that. Yet it was her heart that first drew Arthur’s notice - her heart and her spirit. 

He ought to have kept his distance; he should not have tempted fate. Yet, their time at the Tower drew them together. Tragedy and war brought them closer still. 

Love grew from genuine affection and understanding. Duty could not stand in the way of their love.

[nightingale-lark]

Unexpected

 "I see you've already started" Arthur remarked with an eyebrow raised as he looked at the glasses lined up in front of Oberyn at the bar.

"There has been a lot going on," his friend replied as he ordered another shot of whiskey. Arthur had known Oberyn since childhood but had never seen him look so distraught.

"Lyanna is pregnant…" Oberyn began, yet he stopped to down his second shot before continuing. "She is insisting that it isn't mine, but I know that it is. It has to be. I know I made mistakes and that she won’t take me back, but I never thought she would keep our child from me. I love being a father and she knows that.”

Arthur didn’t know what to say. All he could think of was Lyanna's tearful grey eyes the night she came to his door, a bottle of tequila in hand, asking him to help her forget everything for one night. She needed an escape from the grief and heartbreak following Oberyn’s confession regarding his pregnant mistress. Arthur had intended to offer her conversation and comfort. Yet when she kissed him, he found himself kissing her back. He knew it was wrong, but he was human. When he woke the next morning, Lyanna was gone. That was nearly three months ago. In that time, he had typed and untyped a dozen messages not knowing whether she would want to hear from him. He hadn't told Oberyn about that night, but he needed to make a clean breast of it now.

 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lyanna knew she would have to face Arthur. He deserved to know and she needed to tell him. She had delayed getting in touch with him, telling herself that this was not the type of news you just dropped on someone over the phone. He had been out of town for the past 2.5 months and for much of that time she had been in denial. She was late, but she put that down to stress. She was feeling sick, but she thought she had caught a stomach bug. It was her doctor who suggested a pregnancy test when her symptoms didn't subside. And true enough, she was pregnant - pregnant with her ex's friend's child. She didn't know how her life had turned into a goddamn soap opera.

It was just her luck as well that someone saw her purchasing prenatal vitamins and went running to Oberyn with the news. People seriously needed to mind their own damn business.

She had heard Arthur was due back in town, but he was the last person she was expecting to see when she went to answer her door that evening.

"Arthur! What are you…" she began, before she noticed his fat lip. "What happened?" she asked as she reached out to turn his head so she could get a better look at the cut. 

"I saw Oberyn" he said, as he gazed at her meaningfully.

"I was going to tell you" she said as she led him into her apartment and took a seat on her couch. "I was just waiting to do it in person."

As Arthur took a seat next to her, he took her hand in his and waited for her to look into his eyes. "I know this isn't something we had planned and ultimately the decision is yours... But I want you to know, that if you'll let me, I will be here for you and the baby." Arthur squeezed her hand. "I want to be here for you and our baby." 

Lyanna couldn't help but hold back a sob. Stupid pregnancy hormones she thought. "How can you want that? How do you not hate me? I've come between you and Oberyn… made you an unexpected father… ruined all of the plans you no doubt had for yourself."

"You didn't do this alone Lyanna" he replied, as he wiped a stray tear with his thumb. "I should have been a better friend to both you and Oberyn. We wouldn't be here now if I had turned you away. But I wanted you. A part of me has always wanted you. I don't expect you to feel the same way, but I need you to know that I care for you and that I want to be father to our child."

Lyanna hugged him tightly in reply. Life had a way throwing surprises her way. First in the form of Oberyn as a husband. Then in the form of Arthur as a friend. The unexpected gift of a child was something she would cherish and it looked like it was something Arthur would cherish too.     

[nightingale-lark]

I love you

Promptfill: Arthur x Lyanna - first ‘I love you’

‘Do you ever wish things were different?’ she asked as she stood staring into her glass of wine.

He knew where this conversation was going and how dangerous this was. They had been dancing around each other ever since their time in the Tower.

‘Do you ever regret bringing me back to him?’ she asked as she stared into his eyes.

‘Lyanna...’ he began, but didn’t know how to continue.

‘We all could have been happy if you took us away’ she said sadly as she put down her glass and slowly approached him. ‘I look at you with Jon and my heart aches for what could have been.’

She was standing directly in front of him now, her grey eyes pleading with him to admit what he felt. She reached out to play with the ties of his tunic and he grabbed her wrists to stop her from tempting him further.

‘Lyanna...’ he warned.

‘Tell me you don’t regret it! Tell me you don’t want me! Tell me that this thing between us isn’t love and I’ll let Rhaegar back into my bed and perhaps into my heart!’ she said angrily as she shook off his hold.

Were he wise, he would have lied. Were he prudent, he would have walked away. But a man in love was neither wise nor prudent. The thought of Lyanna accepting Rhaegar’s affections made him green with envy.

Arthur grabbed her waist and pulled her towards him.

‘There is much I regret’ he growled. ‘Much I wish I did differently, but I cannot change what has passed.’

‘You can admit your regret but not your feelings for me?’ Lyanna scoffed.

Arthur couldn’t help but close his eyes and sigh in defeat. ‘I love you knowing that I can never have you,’ he replied.

‘I am already yours, body and soul’ Lyanna said as she stood on her toes. ‘I love you... You need only take me,’ she whispered, just as her lips lightly touched his.

[asoiafrarepairs]

Asoiafrarepairs has surpassed 1,000 FOLLOWERS!!!

This is so incredible, thank you to everyone following and making this blog what it is – so to express our gratitude, to you, our lovely followers, we will be doing a giveaway!

To enter the giveaway you must:

Be following asoiafrarepairs

Reblog this post (Likes will not count!)

Only one entry per blog

And that’s is! Now what will you win in this give away? You will be gifted either a gif set, mood board, edit, or art work for the ship of your choice*

There will be 4 winners – each chosen by random lottery on June 14th

If you win a mod will contact you to ask what ship you would like an edit for and get a general idea of what you would like

Please respond within 24 hours and have your DMs open or we will move on to another winner.

*ships requested must fit asoiafrarepair’s guidelines

[nightingale-lark]

"Is it mine?"  

No preamble. Just three words, forming a question, spoken as soon as he entered her rooms. A Kingsguard had no place within the Queen's chambers, but Arthur needed an answer. They were well past the point of courtesies and considering propriety anyway.

Lyanna, for her part, responded with unusual calm. Taking the time to seat herself and primly fold her hands in her lap. She was no longer a child-woman, but a Targaryen Queen and she had learned to conduct herself accordingly. She silently stared at Arthur for a few moments before answering.

"I cannot say" she replied quietly, before looking down at her hands.

"Cannot or dare not?" he breathed, unable to hide the desperation in his voice.  

"What do you wish for it to be?" she asked, slowly bringing her eyes to meet his.

Arthur closed the distance between them, willing her to let down her guard. She had her walls up and he understood why, but he needed her to know that what he felt for her was true.

"I wish for things that would prove dangerous for us all" he whispered as he rested his forehead against hers while one hand found its way to her rounded middle. 

Arthur wanted the babe to be his. He wanted Lyanna to be his. 

[nightingale-lark]

Fate

Prompt: Jaime and Lyanna, two broken people, scorned by the realm, find comfort in each other after the war.

Both young, both beautiful, both a bit brash, both broken... it was only a matter of time before they found kinship and comfort in each other. Such fondness and familiarity between a Queen and a Kingsguard could prove perilous, but no one seemed to notice their closeness. No one but Arthur.

He heard the ring of steel deep in the Godswood on the days Jaime guarded Lyanna. He knew of their secret lessons, but said nothing for he could hardly chastise Jaime for something he had done himself. He often heard biting remarks and laughter. On some occasions he heard Lyanna weeping and Jaime trying to soothe her.

Masks were firmly drawn at court, but small gestures passed between them - a smirk and a raised brow from one, a look of fond exasperation from the other…

Arthur imagined they could have been happy together, in another life, had their Lord fathers thought to see them wed. They were both of an age and once held ideals of honor. Alas, all they would find in this life was tragedy, for no King would allow his Kingsguard to love his Queen. Their friendship was folly, yet it seemed like fate. Two broken people, scorned by the realm, finding comfort in each other. Arthur merely prayed that whispers of the young pair would not reach the King's ears.

[asoiafrarepairs]

Jaime x Lyanna - Jaime and Lyanna, two broken people, scorned by the realm, find comfort in each other after the war.

Added to our prompts page!

[nightingale-lark]

I would like to claim this prompt please. :) 

[nightingale-lark]

Hearts

Asoiafrarepair Prompt: Arthur/Lyanna-you’ve been sleeping at mine because your house is being renovated and we aren’t even dating, yet every time you wake up to the baby crying and sigh, “i’ll go” i feel like we might as well be married

She's a little tipsy. She knows this. But she wouldn't be saying this at all if she were completely sober.

Arthur had been staying over for the past few weeks, while his place was being renovated. Her place was close to his work and she was the one to deem his place unfit for human habitation while renovations were still underway. But the bulk of the renovations were finished now and Arthur told her earlier in the week that he should be able to move back to his place.

"I'm really going to miss this" she said, as she handed him another glass of wine before taking a seat next to him on the couch. 

Arthur chuckled. "Miss me taking up your couch or miss my cooking?" he asked with a raised brow.

They had just finished the dinner Arthur had prepared and were settling in to watch a movie. It had become their evening routine. Arthur would cook dinner, Lyanna would prepare dessert, he'd wash up while she gave Jon a bath and put him to bed. They'd mock each other's Netflix choices, then eat dessert as they talked through whatever it was they chose to watch.

 "I'll definitely miss your cooking, everyone knows I have no place in the kitchen" she replied before looking down at her glass as Arthur took a sip from his.

"But I'll just miss you being you, here with us" she added quietly.

Their domestic arrangement developed so naturally, it was hard to imagine Arthur no longer being a fixture in their lives. He had such a wonderfully calming presence in what otherwise felt like a chaotic existence. He was so different from the other men in her life, men who created havoc for her and then left her to pick up the pieces of her broken heart. He made her feel happy and made Jon laugh… made her feel secure... made her feel like an equal. Is this what a real partnership was? Is this what Ned shared with Catelyn? Is this why they always looked so disgustingly happy together? These thoughts swam through her wine-soaked mind as Arthur took the glass she was holding and placed it on the table. She felt about ready to cry.

"We aren't even dating, yet every time you wake up to Jon crying and sigh, 'I'll go,' I feel like we might as well be married." 

Arthur carefully watched Lyanna's slightly glazed grey eyes and squeezed her hand in his. "Hey, I'll always be here for you, for both you and Jon."

"You won't be," she said plainly. "You are gorgeous and a great person. How you are still single is something even my sober mind cannot work out. Some amazing woman will come along and steal your heart and you'll have a family of your own to take care of and I wouldn't get in the way of that. You are my friend and I want you to be happy."

Arthur seemed to be debating his response, his eyes searching for something in hers, almost willing her to understand. "Perhaps my heart already belongs to someone, but she doesn't know it."

Lyanna blinked, confused and more than a little upset. So he is already in love with someone. She was trying to think of which woman in Arthur’s life could possibly hold his heart, when Jon’s cries interrupted her thoughts. 

"I'll go" Arthur said with a small smile as he squeezed her hand once more and leaned in to place a kiss on her brow. "We'll talk more later” he said as he rose to walk to Jon’s room. 

[asoiafrarepairs]

Arthur/Lyanna-you’ve been sleeping at mine because your house is being renovated and we aren’t even dating, yet every time you wake up to the baby crying and sigh, “i’ll go” i feel like we might as well be married

Added to our prompt page!

[nightingale-lark]

I would like to claim this prompt please. :) 

[nightingale-lark]

I choose you

ASOIAF RARE PAIR Prompt: Arthur x Lyanna - "I choose you."

"Jon deserves the chance to grow up with his real father, with the three of you as a family… happy as you were meant to be before the war." Arthur stared into the sea as he said these words, both of his hands resting heavily on the stone balustrade of their balcony to support his weight and his resolve.

"And what if we are already happy?" Lyanna asked as she moved closer to him. 

Her wolfsblood sang within her when Arthur remained silent and refused to meet her gaze. "Do I not have a say? Do I not have a choice at all? You plan to simply hand us back to him and don your white cloak again as if nothing ever happened between us?" she asked, temper flaring. Yet as the seconds passed, anger was swiftly replaced by uncertainty.

"Were we…" she started then stopped as her chest tightened and she found it difficult to breathe. "Were we merely a duty all this time?" Lyanna took a step back, feeling a little faint as the doubt that crept into her heart threatened to break it.

When she saw Arthur close his eyes and bend his head forward, she assumed the worst and allowed her fury to return. "Why did you pretend to care? Why did you break your precious vows and fuck me like you loved me?" Hot angry tears were freely flowing down her face now as she turned to walk away.

Indecision warred within Arthur. Should he let her believe that he cared little for her - make her hate him and in doing so give her the chance to live the life she and Jon were destined to have? 

He grabbed her hand, and spun her towards him. 

"I love you" he said as he gently wiped the tears on her cheek with his thumb. "I love you and Jon more than life itself. But you were both born for more than this." His voice was like gravel, as he ground out his words. "I don't want you to regret staying in Essos when you could have all of Westeros at your feet." The pain of these words were bare for her to see. "I don't want you to regret your choice" he whispered.

Lyanna brought her hand up to cup Arthur's cheek as she waited for his eyes to meet hers. "If the choice is mine, I choose you. No crown or court could compare to what we have here with you.” 

“I love you” she whispered before his lips met hers.

[asoiafrarepairs]

Arthur x Lyanna - "I choose you."

Added to our prompt page!

[nightingale-lark]

I would like to claim this prompt please. :) 

[nightingale-lark]

Fathers and Sons

A slightly different conversation between “father” and “son”. R+L=J.

There were days when Jon couldn’t understand why his Lord father chose to raise him in Winterfell. The world viewed him as the sole stain on Lord Eddard Stark’s renowned honor. He could have been left hidden away… unacknowledged. That would have been a greater kindness, he thought. He was raised with much of the privilege afforded to the son of a Lord Paramount; yet as a bastard, he had no real place in his father’s world.

 He wondered about his mother and the world she lived in. Who was she? Why did she give him away? Was she a lady? A peasant? A whore? She had left nothing of herself in him to give him any clues. Everyone remarked on how much he looked like his father - even more so than any of his true-born brothers.

 The question gnawed at him and he could no longer remain silent. They were riding together one day when he blurted out his question. “Why did you keep me? You could have sent me away to be raised… Left me with my mother. You didn’t need to acknowledge me.”

His father sighed and looked at him with sad contemplative eyes. “Are you unhappy that I did?” his father asked in return.

Ned knew these questions had to be answered one day, but it pained him to think that Jon asked them out of unhappiness. He loved Jon as a son and his children loved him as a brother. Yet Jon was still made to feel apart by others and that was one of Ned's greatest disappointments.

Ned placed a reassuring hand on Jon’s shoulder before he continued. “You are my blood… And I promised your mother that I would protect you. I am proud to call you my son. I love you no less than I do your brothers and sisters.”

Ned could feel his Jon’s shoulders relax a bit at that, but could sense him working up the courage to ask another question.

“Did… did you love my mother?”

Ned closed his eyes as memories of his little sister flashed through his mind… He still grieved for her. Grieved for his father, his brother, and all of the lives lost in the war.

Ned knew he needed to tell Jon the truth one day - that he owed him the truth. But the boy was still young and that day was not today. Jon needed to know that he was not a bastard born of lust and so he would lead Jon to believe what he needed.

“I loved her with all my heart” he said thickly. That was not a lie, but nor was it the truth Jon was seeking.

[nightingale-lark]

First impressions

AU drabble depicting Robert's first impression of Lyanna at Harrenhal. They are not yet betrothed.

Beautiful. More beautiful than any other maiden he had seen. Of that he was certain.

She was holding the reins of a grey palfrey, stroking it's mane affectionately when he first spotted her at Harrenhal. She wore an elegant grey dress cut in a modest Northern style which hugged her slim figure and hinted at curves yet to come. With pale skin flushed pink from riding, long dark curls, rosy pink lips and delicate features adorning her long face, she was a sight to behold.

As he and Ned walked further into the Stark camp, she suddenly looked up in their direction, almost as if she had sensed his eyes upon her. But her gaze did not fall on him.

"Ned!" she exclaimed and quickly handed off her reins to a waiting stablehand before running to her brother and throwing herself into his arms. Both siblings laughed as Ned caught her and lifted her in the air.

"Little sister, as wild as ever, I see" Ned said affectionately before setting her back on her feet.

"I'm a wolf, how could I be otherwise?" she growled playfully, as if she were indeed the sigil of her house and not a high-born lady and daughter of a Lord Paramount. "I missed you, big brother" she huffed, pulling Ned into another hug. "Brandon and Benjen have been testing my patience."

Ned chuckled in response and kissed her brow before turning her towards his friend.

"Come Lya, let me introduce my foster brother. Lord Robert of House Baratheon, my sister Lady Lyanna of House Stark."

"Lord Robert." she greeted formally, lifting her eyes to meet his only as she rose from her curtsey. He stood motionless at first, struck by her eyes - grey like Ned's yet stormy… like the skies that would spell shipwreck on the waters surrounding his lands, dangerous but hauntingly beautiful and utterly captivating.

He recovered quickly enough and gently bowed to bestow a kiss upon her hand. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Lyanna" he replied as he flashed her a grin that would have had any other maiden swooning. Yet she wasn't any other maiden for she gave him a cursory smile and nod before taking Ned's arm and asking him about the Vale. 

She was so different from the maids he had known. She seemed completely unaware of her own beauty and how she could wield it. She was untouched by courtly affectations and ambitions. She did not blush or simper at his attention. In fact, she didn't seem to take much notice of him at all - indifferent to his title as well as his handsome face.

She was a beauty unlike any other he had ever met and he wanted her.

[nightingale-lark]

New Year

Arthur found Lyanna standing alone at one of the windows, staring out into the night sky. The small party at Ned and Ashara’s was well underway, Robb and Jon had been put to sleep in the nursery hours earlier, and the new year’s countdown would start soon. Ashara has been the one to convince Lyanna to come to the party, telling her sister-in-law that she should ring in the new year surrounded by family and friends rather than alone.

“See any shooting stars?” he asked as he came to stand next to her.

“No shooting stars tonight, just a beautiful blanket of stars” she replied wistfully before turning to look at him with a bright smile. Seeing Lyanna genuinely happy made him happy. She had been through so much over the past year - filing for divorce then finding out she was pregnant, Rhaegar fighting the divorce then fighting for custody once Jon was born. It had been a long and stressful year during which Arthur witnessed more tears than he ever wished to see anyone suffer. But Lyanna was resilient. She rose above it all and made the best of things. He couldn’t help but admire her spirit.

They chatted the evening away, only realizing it was seconds to midnight when they heard the crowd in the other room counting down.

“Happy New Year Arthur” Lyanna said with a smile before leaning in to softly press her lips to his.

Arthur leaned his forehead against hers as their lips parted. “Happy New Year Lyanna” he breathed, before nudging her nose with his, giving her ample time to pull away if she wished. They were at a crossroads - another kiss and they wouldn’t be able to pretend that all they shared was friendship.

Just as Arthur was preparing to pull away, he felt Lyanna’s lips on his once more - seeking to deepen their kiss. He couldn’t help but smile into her kiss and pull her closer to him. It was the start of a new year and a new beginning for them after having danced around each other for so long.