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In Westeros it is popular belief that after taking a liking to Lyanna Stark, Prince Rhaegar kidnapped and raped her. However, the belief amongst fans seem to be that:

Lyanna also fell in love with Rhaegar and ran away with him by choice.

I understand that this theory cannot have just been drawn out of the blue but as a non book reader I have seen next to no evidence for this in the show.

So what evidence is there behind this theory?

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    @AndrewThompson You understand that children can be born of rape? and I'm pretty sure Lyanna still would have wanted to protect it. Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 5:30
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    "You understand that children can be born of rape?" Yes, but then, women have always had ways of washing unwanted seed from their loins (Parisian prostitutes used a wine douche.) "I'm pretty sure Lyanna still would have wanted to protect it." Me, less so. She'd have known that her betrothed would not have wanted that baby. It would have made her less valuable as a potential queen to him. - Then there's the question of why the Kingsguard were even there, the (current) king wasn't, nor was prince Rhaegar. But if she was pregnant with Prince Rhaegar's son, that would justify their presence.. Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 5:35
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    Here is a question with information scifi.stackexchange.com/q/46551/2256
    – TLP
    Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 15:39
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    @AndrewThompson, she might not have been able to "wash" herself if he was keeping her prisoner.
    – Lumos
    Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 17:10
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    I don't think there's any hard evidence, just lots of little clues, like for example people who knew Rhaegar describing him as a true gent and a romantic; plus maybe Ned's attitude to Robert's lack of forgiveness of Rhaegar. The existence of the baby is NOT evidence - in ASOIAF the main/only birth control mentioned is "moon tea"/"tansy", which is tricky to prepare and must be taken not long after; a prisoner couldn't prepare it, and Ned wouldn't kill his sister's newborn only child after her death, no matter the circumstances of the conception. Commented Oct 23, 2016 at 21:50

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