Did Lyanna Stark Have Any Feeling for Robert Baratheon?

Complex and Ambiguous Feelings in A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones

In the epic fantasy world of A Song of Ice and Fire and its TV adaptation, Game of Thrones, the relationship between Lyanna Stark and Robert Baratheon is fraught with complexity and ambiguity. While Robert was deeply in love with Lyanna and sought her hand in marriage, Lyanna's feelings towards him were not as strong. The lore suggests that Lyanna was initially engaged to Robert due to their families' wishes, but she did not reciprocate his feelings. Instead, she had a romantic relationship with Rhaegar Targaryen, which ultimately led to her abduction or elopement and the events that triggered Robert's Rebellion.

Lyanna's true feelings are revealed through flashbacks and visions, notably in Bran Stark's experiences in Game of Thrones. It is suggested that she chose Rhaegar over Robert. Her famous last words to Ned Stark, 'Rhaegar is my king', further cement this narrative. This ambiguity often leads to misunderstandings and misinterpretations, but the evidence from the series and the books strongly indicates that Lyanna Stark did not share Robert Baratheon's feelings.

Lyanna Stark's Real Feelings Revealed

One of the key turning points in establishing Lyanna's feelings lies in her interactions with Ned. It's important to note that right after they were betrothed, Lyanna approached Ned and expressed her concerns about Robert. She claimed that she knew the reputation of Robert and that he would not be able to keep to just one bed. She even mentioned rumors of Robert having an illegitimate child in the Vale. Ned tried to persuade her by saying that Robert's actions prior to their betrothal were now insignificant. However, Lyanna responded, 'Love cannot change a man's nature.' This statement reveals that while she agreed to the betrothal, she was hesitant to truly love Robert based on her understanding of his character.

Furthermore, the events that followed in the series support the idea that Lyanna was not only romantically involved with Rhaegar but also married him. According to the information provided in the books, Lyanna married Rhaegar and they had a son named Aegon. This union and the fact that she chose Rhaegar over Robert strongly suggest that her feelings for Robert were not mutual and that she was more deeply connected to Rhaegar.

Misconceptions and Misinterpretations

There are several misconceptions and misinterpretations surrounding Lyanna and Robert's relationship. Some claim that Lyanna did not love Robert and hated him after learning about his illegitimate daughter Mya Stone. However, there is no concrete evidence to support this belief, and the narrative in the series and books does not back it up. Additionally, it is notable that other sources, like those suggesting she married Rhaegar and had a son with him, are more aligned with the established storyline. Robert's characterization as a 'mad lover' or a 'street Romeo' who had one-sided love for Lyanna further complicates the understanding of their relationship, but the evidence from the series and books does not support this idea.

Another misconception is that there was a formal meeting between Lyanna and Robert at Harrenhal, and that they were eventually married despite her initial ambivalence. However, the series and books indicate that they were betrothed, not married. It seems unlikely that Robert would have been a good husband to her given his reputation and the evidence of his infidelities. Jon Snow, who is believed to be the child of Lyanna and Rhaegar rather than Robert, further supports the idea that there was no biological link between Robert and Jon.

Conclusion

While Robert Baratheon was deeply in love with Lyanna Stark and sought her hand in marriage, the evidence from A Song of Ice and Fire and Game of Thrones strongly suggests that Lyanna did not share his feelings. Her interactions with Ned, her choice to marry Rhaegar, and the fact that they had a son together all point to her more heartfelt connection with Rhaegar rather than Robert.