I love the Sansa/Baelish story, however I had an idea for an OC Stark that was a little more grown up, and less naive. I wondered what the story could be like if she went to King's Landing and met Baelish. I will follow lightly the story arc of the television show but this is definitely alternate universe material.
This is a first draft version, non revised, so please be kind and try and push through any bad grammar you see. I just needed to post this because there is just not enough Petyr Baelish fanfiction out there for my liking, and I was able to write three chapters for this story right off the bat.
Chapter One
Cold, it was always cold in the tower, and today was no exception to that rule. Lyiana Stark sat watching as her younger sister Sansa was praised by the Septa. Moving the needle back and forth Lyiana's skilled fingers worked without her looking, poking at the fabric.
"I love the detail that you've managed to get in this corner, quite beautiful, the stitching." The Septa spoke as she fawned over the beautiful young Sansa.
"Ouch!" Lyiana whimpered as she looked down to her pricked finger, as small bubble of blood pooled on her finger. Lifting the crimson liquid to her lips Lyiana lightly sucked the tip of her finger till she was sure the coppery tasting liquid was gone. Releasing her finger from her lips she looked down to the small hole that was now quickly closing before her eyes.
"Are you alright Lyiana dear?" The Septa asked turning slightly to look at the eldest Stark girl.
"Oh, yes Septa, just a prick, no harm done." Lyiana spoke with a smile. "Septa, would you excuse both myself and Arya for the remainder of the morn? She wished to practice her dancing with me today."
Septa Mordane looked disapprovingly between both Arya and Lyiana, and then with nod of her head the two girls set off. Lyiana's long unruly black hair flowed behind her, she had tried to braid it when she awoke with the sun, however the curls were so tangled from her restless sleep. Many things had change for the twin sister of Robb Stark, the night terrors were the newest.
Reaching the entrance to the castle grounds Lyiana placed her hand on Arya's shoulder. "Go be free young one." Without another word Arya took off towards the archery range and Lyiana gave a light chuckle and headed off towards the Godswood. Wrapping her shawl around herself to ward off the cold she listened to the ground crunch under her feet with each step, and soon the sounds of the castle around her faded to nothing.
The white tree came into view and it's presence immediately calmed Lyiana's mind. She always felt at peace here. As she approached the tree she looked upon the face that had been carved into it, long before any of her ancestors had stepped foot on these lands. Lyiana moved to the rock sat between the tree and the pond and settled in. Closing her eyes Lyiana slowed her breathing and relaxed.
The wind breezed through Lyiana's hair but the chill did not go to her bones, instead she felt the warmth of the Godswood flowing through her. This was her favorite place in all Winterfell, she felt at home here, at peace.
This was the place her Mother had found her, in the cold of winter. The first winter Lyiana had experienced. Lyiana never could remember what exactly had occurred during the time of her disappearance. She only remembered the voice, the voice that called her out into the cold during the dark night. The snow crunched beneath her bare feet with each step she had taken, and it did not freeze her skin nor blister it. She was called into the Godswood and beckoned toward the old Weirwood that stood tall and rooted to the land she called her home. Then it was darkness, that lasted through three sun rises until she awoke on the hard ground, that had yet to be touched by the snow, protected by the vast and winding branches of her favorite tree. Lyiana remembered awaking to her Mother's voice pleading with the old gods to bring her daughter back to her.
After that day, she was different, changed forever. Maester Luwin could not find a reason for Lyiana being found unharmed. When Eddard had commanded his guard to search for his daughter once she had been discovered to be missing, it was only to find a body, never did they think the child would have survived the night.
Now any nick or cut she got, whether it be from a sewing needle or the scrapes and bruises from chasing Bran and Rickon through the castle grounds were healed before she could even realize she had gotten them. Now she was forced to remain fully clothed from chin to feet to ensure no one could witness her gift as it weaved its magic, and the scar she held on the bottom of her left shoulder blade. Ever since that day she carried a piece of the Weirwood tree with her, the only part of her skin to never heal. It was seen only by a few a small line about a finger wide showing the white bark of the tree she loved so much imbedded in her skin . If her Mother saw her now out, without her gloves she would have a fit and scream to the seven for a daughter that listened. Maybe Lyiana never listened because the seven were not her gods. The old gods, the ones who gave her this gift, they were her gods.
"Your mother is going to have my head yet girl." Came the sound of Lyiana's father's voice. Opening her eyes Eddard Stark stood in front of her with a smile on his face. "I hear you helped young Arya skip her lessons today."
"She was bored father, it was either that or you would be dealing with a distraught Sansa." Lyiana spoke with a smile. "How has your morn been father?"
Ned sighed and motioned for his daughter to move over so he might sit next to her. "I had to enact the King's law, a man fled from the wall."
"Why would he flee from his duty?" Questioned Lyiana.
"He claimed he saw the White Walkers, that they killed his brothers." Eddard spoke as he stared off into the forest that surrounded him.
Lyiana finally felt the cold seep into her at her father's words. "Do you think he truly saw them?"
"I think a desperate man can see anything he wishes when faced with a dire situation." Eddard said this matter of factly, but Lyiana could hear the falter in his voice.
Lyiana stood and looked down at her father extending a hand toward him. "Would you care to accompany me back to the Castle father?"
Eddard looked up at his daughter with a smile. "Do you know why we named you Lyiana young one?"
"You named me after your sister who was lost in the great war, I've heard the story many a time father, and you only spelt it different to make me my own." Lyiana said simply as she placed her hand back at her side.
"Yes, but it was more then that. We named you after her because when we looked at you, when you were just a babe, we saw the kindness in your eyes, the same kindness my sister held for those around her." Eddard said as a smile played on his lips. "We knew then how many hearts you reach and warm, and how many of them you would break."
"How can you know that father when you never let me leave the safety of our home. Never let me spend any time with anyone without guard. Turn down every courtship that has been offered." Lyiana's voice was filled with sadness, a sadness that caused Eddard's heart to break in two. "If your answer is to keep me safe then you can save yourself the breath, because that is always your answer."
"The things we do, we do out of love. It may seem cruel, but it is better than the fate you would have should the wrong person realize your gift." Said Eddard.
Lyiana closed her eyes tightly and clenched the fabric of her dress in her fists. "This gift, affects no one but my own flesh and blood. How would this benefit anyone else in this realm?"
"Mortal men find ways to exploit even the most fragile and scarce things."
Opening her eyes Lyiana looked down at her father with pity. "If you do not have faith and trust, how will we ever move forward in this world. Now if you will excuse me fath…" Lyiana began but was unable to finish her words as her world went black around her.
Eddard was on his feet the moment he saw his daughter begin to fall, catching her in his arms before she could reach the ground. "Lyiana? Lyiana!"
Inside Lyiana's mind images whirled around in front of her. She saw the King's Guard standing in her home, and she saw the sprawling stone walls of the Capital City, and a pin, a pin of a Mockingbird. With the last image fading from her mind's eye, Lyiana's own eyes flew open.
"Lyiana, we must get you to the Maester." Eddard spoke quickly as he helped his daughter back onto her feet.
"The king, he is going to come here." Lyiana said quietly, almost so the Eddard almost missed her words.
"Ned? Lyiana? What has happened, are you alright?" Catelyn spoke as she neared both her husband and eldest daughter.
Lyiana allowed her father to steady her on her feet before motioning for him to release her from his grip. "I am fine Mother, just a dizzy spell, perhaps I was out in the cold longer than I thought…" Lyiana then noticed the look on her Mother's face, a look of sadness that was to deep for the current situation. "Mother, what is it?"
"Catelyn?" Eddard questioned his wife as she neared them, a rolled letter was clenched in her left fist.
"I am so sorry, my love." Catelyn spoke with a solemn voice, as she looked to her husband.
Eddard looked upon his wife as she remained silent. "Tell me."
"There was a raven from King's Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him" Catelyn moved to stand closer to her husband. "I know he was like a father to you."
"Your sister. The boy…" Eddard began before he was cut off by Catelyn.
"They both have their health. Gods be good." Catelyn looked to the ground and let her shoulders sag slightly. "The raven brought more news. The King rides for Winterfell. With the Queen and all the rest of them."
Eddard looked to his daughter, the words she had whispered only moments ago rang in his ears. "He's coming this far North, there's only one thing he's after."
"You can always say no, Eddard." Catelyn said matter of factly.
"I should get back to the Castle, excuse me Father, Mother." Lyiana spoke with a slight nod and began to make her way back towards her brothers and sisters. The images she saw replayed in her head as she walked, the King was coming to Winterfell, and she knew even though her father wanted to say no, and stay in his home, he would be leaving. He would leave, them, he would go to King's Landing and become the new Hand of the King.