( Spoilers main) how do you believe R+ L took place?

The one big secret I’m looking to understand is just how Lyanna and Rhaegar fell for each other or what the dynamics of their relationship really were.

I don’t believe that Rhaegar assaulted Lyanna and think her going with him was ( by and large) voluntary.

George has not designed to tell us yet, but I think I can piece it together. Was the relationship a “ love” thing as the show insists? IMO… kind of.

I think Rhaegar was up to his eyes in books and had read about the prophecy of TPWP and other such esoteric matters.

He thought Lyanna lined up with the needed “ vessel” so he sought her out. I think he thought she was beautiful and enjoyed being around her, but I think he did it more because he felt he had to.

Lyanna, I have to think did it as an escape. She sounds more than a bit like Arya and was deeply angry and resentful that she was being made to marry a drunken cheater like Robert Baratheon.

Going with Rhaegar was her only Avenue of escape from an arranged marriage she hated so she went with it. It probably didn’t hurt at all that Rhaegar was as courteous and handsome and “ princely” as he was..

I don’t think Lyanna took into account being locked away in a tower for about a year. I think she was kept prisoner.

I think Rhaegar was a decent but probably wierd and esoteric person who was happy to neglect his first wife and children to focus on some prophecy. Lyanna was naive and desperate and thought this was the best she could do. I dont think Rhaegar was all that great of a human and was sort of selfish, reckless and bizarre and paid the price.

What do you think their relationship was like?