Game of Thrones: Wild Princess
Chapter 1 of my new Game of Thrones story, enjoy.
Decided to try out a new pairing for this one. Also a brief note to cover, in this, no Red Wedding occurred, but Arya still went through her Assassin training and such, Bran, Rickon and their companions did not go beyond the Wall, but sheltered at it until Robb was able to return and drive out the Ironborn and destroy the Boltons. Sansa was able to escape back home, thanks to help from Brienne and Pod. Think that covers everything.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones belongs to George R.R. Martin.
Chapter 1
It seemed to be the start of yet another day on Bear Island. The rest of her family already preparing for their day, Lyanna Mormont knew she would have to join them. Lyanna always took pride in her family, especially her sisters and mother.
They like herself were true Northerners and were not like many of the other women in the land. However, one thing that did stand out as different between the two was that Lyanna's sisters and mother seemed to have a different view than she did.
She valued her independence and even accepted the responsibilities that came with it; none of her sister's were married, although Alysanne had been, which was how she had ended up with her two children.
'They don't seem to appreciate the risk to their independence that marriage would cost them...Lyra and Jorelle are all excited at the thought of getting married.' Lyanna thought to herself, shaking her head. 'Dacey claims she's just been unlucky, but would accept if she had the chance, Alysanne is willing to marry again if possible...Urgh...'
She rolled her eyes, unable to believe her sister's would be willing to become some Lord's wife, to lose that which made them true Northerners, true Mormonts. It was definitely not something she would enjoy.
Life however was full of cruel ironies it seemed, as she learned that very morning, as she went down to join her family in the Great Hall.
They were all there already, breaking their fast, she smiled as she went to join them.
"Morning." She greeted as she took her seat.
Her sisters all smiled at her, greeting her warmly.
"Good morning Lyanna." Her mother greeted her. "Glad you could join us."
Lyanna suppressed a smirk at her mother's sardonic reference to the fact she was much later in getting to the hall than they had been.
Instead she decided to try and find out. "Has anything happened lately?"
She always enjoyed hearing more about how things stood outside their lands, especially as it gave her more knowledge of things she'd otherwise not know. Of course after breakfast she'd probably go and work on her archery before really taking what she had learned into full consideration.
Her mother's response was not one she expected. "Yes actually, we've received a raven from Winterfell."
That perked her up at once, Winterfell was the home of their liege lords, the Starks.
"Oh?"
"Yes; they have...decided to strengthen ties with us." Her mother explained. "King Robb, it seems, seeks to create the same kind of alliance with our House as the new one forged with House Reed."
Lyanna bit her lip at that, curious, House Reed had already been one of the most loyal Noble Houses to the Starks, but that bond became even stronger when the daughter of Lord Howland Reed married King Robb's younger brother, at least from what she had heard.
Lyanna pondered this carefully, piecing it all together easily.
"So, he seeks a marriage alliance, who…?" She began, but stopped, seeing them all looking at her. "No...No."
Her mother shook her head. "That's what was asked of us Lyanna."
"You can't mean, I already said..." She bust out.
"I know what you said, but duty is duty Lyanna." Maege cut her off. "The arrangements are for you to marry King Robb's youngest brother...You are to begin preparations, for you leave for Winterfell, tomorrow."
Lyanna shook her head, glaring, feeling betrayed. After everything, despite all her efforts, she was being married off, her valued independence put at risk, expected to be some young Prince's wife.
She was to leave her home, her sisters, her family, to go to Winterfell; to meet Prince Rickon, King Robb and his family. It was then she remembered and realized that, even if it was going to be as bad as she feared, there would at least be one bright spot.
Later, while in her chambers packing up, her sisters helping her, Dacey began to speak.
"I know you're not happy about this Lyanna, but it could end up being good for you, you might be able to, make something good out of this."
Lyanna rolled her eyes. "I'll be sacrificing everything I represent, just to be married to Prince Rickon. The only good thing is I'll finally get to meet Princess Arya."
Her sisters all shared a look at that, knowing right away what Lyanna was thinking.
The Wild Wolf of the North, the Warrior Princess, Arya Stark; Lyanna's hero ever since hearing about her. Arya Stark was the antithesis of what was expected of noble women, especially in her position.
She hated anything ladylike, sewing, dressed, anything like that, she was said to wear masculine clothing, even carry weapons and was expertly trained in them. There was more, but she pretty much summed up Lyanna's ideal view of what a Northern woman should be.
"Lyanna…" Jorelle began.
She smirked. "Don't worry, it'll happen, I'll just make the most of it, at least I'll see how things should be, when I meet Princess Arya."
"You shouldn't believe everything you see or here." Dacey warned her. "Who knows what's true and what's not."
Alysanne nodded. "Yes, after all, I thought you'd heard...Princess Arya is married too."
Lyanna scoffed at that however, she never believed Arya Stark would allow herself to be tamed. But all matters such as that were put aside to focus on Lyanna getting ready, for soon the day would come. She was due to leave her home, due to head for Winterfell; ready to meet the Starks.
End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.
Just a note, regarding Lyanna, I tend to view her as one who would despise the thought of marriage on the grounds that she feels it would ruin her identity, ruin who she is, force her to no longer be herself, perhaps even more so than Arya.