A/N Decided to have a stab at an AU story. Without the constraints of staying true to the books or TV series, this is what my brain came up with Rating for possible language and implied mature themes, though may go up as story progresses.

Chapter One – Growing Pains

The Starks were a powerful family which some would say came from Old Money. Living in the northeast of England in the coastal town of Sunderland, the Stark family lived very comfortably in a many-bed roomed manor house with its own stables and staff. The children spent most of their time with their mother as their father's job meant he spent a lot of time in London.

Lyanna Stark was 8 years old when he first came into her life, a sorry, sullen thing who barely looked at her or her brothers and sisters. She had been named after her aunt who was murdered years before her birth, and in a lot of ways was like her.

"Now you're all to treat Theon fairly, he hasn't been as lucky as you growing up so I need you to be nice to him, as nice as you are to each other," Ned Stark had told his children Robb, Jon, Lyanna and Sansa. Though Sansa was barely at school at the time, she fixated her eyes on her father wide-eyed as if she understood.

"Why is he coming to live with us, Daddy?" asked Robb, always curious.

"Because his own parents couldn't look after him. Though you're not to tease him for that," he added sternly. "Any more questions?"

"Yes," piped up Lyanna. Ned looked at her, wondering what his outspoken oldest daughter was going to ask about. "Why couldn't you get a girl instead?" This made Jon and Robb immediately chuckle despite themselves.

"It just so happens that the Greyjoys had a boy. And you have your younger sister," he pointed out.

"But she's too small to play," sulked Lyanna. Ned chuckled and kissed her on the top of her head. "She won't always, and remember you were her size once. Now, you're going to meet Theon so I want you to give him a really warm welcome when he comes. Can you do that for me?"

"Yes Daddy," they all replied, excited to meet the new addition to their family.

"OK. He's in the kitchen with your mother right now, so you can go and say hello when you're ready," Lyanna ran ahead of her brothers, eager to meet the new arrival. She was hoping if she could get in there first he'd be her friend and then it wouldn't matter so much when Robb and Jon excluded her. Worried she'd get in trouble for running indoors, she slowed her pace to a fast walk as she approached the large family kitchen. Her siblings had caught up with her, though she was first through the heavy oak door where she stopped in her tracks to observe the boy who was sat with her mother at the breakfast bar, drinking what appeared to be a milkshake.

He was a few years older than her – perhaps older than Jon and Robb. This disappointed Lyanna, he probably wouldn't want to play games with her anyway. Remembering her manners and what her father had said, she smiled and approached him.

"Hi," she said, unsure of whether she should hold out her hand or not. "I'm Lyanna Stark,"

"Theon Greyjoy," he smiled, looking to Catelyn for assurance who beamed at him.

"These are my children," she smiled. "I'm sure you're all going to get along just fine," They introduced themselves, and by the time Theon had finished his drink they were chatting together about the games and television programmes they enjoyed. Lyanna knew not to ask him about his parents; her mother and father would be cross if she did that. But the more they all spent time together, the less sullen he became and she began to warm to the older boy.


It was the summer before Lyanna was due to start secondary school that it occurred to her that there were mere months between her older brothers. She was by no means an expert on the creation of human beings, but it occurred to her that a woman could not possibly give birth to one baby and then another several weeks later unless...

"Mum, are Robb and Jon twins?" she asked Catelyn as she got her ready for bed one night.

"No, why do you ask?" she asked, knowing this conversation would happen with Sansa, Arya and newborn Bran at some point.

"Because I know how long it takes babies to grow. And between Robb and Jon, there's not enough time to grow a whole nother baby," she stated. Catelyn sighed wearily and brushed her daughter's dark hair from her face.

"That's because Robb, yourself, Sansa, Arya and Bran grew inside me. Jon didn't,"

"How?"

"He grew inside another lady," she replied, the memory of her husband's betrayal all those years ago hitting her afresh. Would it be like this every time.

"OK," Lyanna replied, seeming to accept this with no further questions.

"Night night darling, sleep well," Catelyn kissed Lyanna's cheek and turned off her bedside lamp.

"Night mum," she said sleepily, burying herself under the covers.

One of Theon's favourite things to do was go sailing. The Starks had never been into nautical activities as a rule, but Ned had bought Theon his own boat for his 16th birthday as well as lessons in sailing it, and he couldn't wait to take his siblings out for a ride in it. That summer, Lyanna had come along a few times and read on the deck whilst the boys fished or swam in the sea. Another thing Theon liked to do was kiss girls, she knew because Sansa had seen him do it and told her about it. Kissing wasn't something Lyanna thought about, some of her school friends had kissed boys but she'd never wanted to. The thought of Theon kissing girls made her feel strange though, and she wondered what it would be like to kiss him.


The following summer, Lyanna had already celebrated her 13th birthday. The family had thrown a party at their house and there had been several eminent societal figures in attendance. The Tyrells, her mother's family the Tullys and the Prime Minister's family, the Baratheons and Lannisters. There was a disco, bar for the adults, and a bouncy castle and popular music groups performing for the younger children. Her mother had her hands full with Arya and Bran under 5 and baby Rickon needing her constant attention but still managed to pull off a successful celebration.

Robb and Jon, 14 at the time, had readily agreed to sneak off with 17 year old Theon who had managed to swipe a bottle of champagne. Theon had already spent some time drinking in pubs and clubs at the weekend so could handle his alcohol considerably better than the Stark boys as was clearly evident when they staggered back to the party. Things soon turned sour when Robb tried to climb on stage with one of the girl groups performing and Jon vomited behind the bouncy castle. Their father was not impressed.

Whilst her parents were distracted making her brothers go to bed, Lyanna looked around for Theon. She spotted him with his arm around a girl sat at the bar, and when they left she felt the compulsion to follow them. They slipped into the garden and she took care to remain unseen, hiding behind trees and bushes. She felt silly, but couldn't help trembling at the feeling she was about to embark on an enlightening discovery. Theon had led the girl to the empty summer house at the end of the garden. Lyanna was still far away, but she could see the outline of their bodies clearly and how close they were, their faces joined. For the first time, she realised she wished it was her Theon was kissing. She almost jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. She turned around gasping.

"Uncle Benjen!" she exclaimed, jumping into his arms and hugging him. Her uncle was in the army, and had been posted in Northern Ireland so she didn't see much of him unless he was on leave.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked, hugging her tight.

"Oh, just getting some air," she lied quickly, trying not to look in the direction of the summer house.

"Getting a bit much is it? I was never a fan of crowded places like this," he gestured the thriving party occurring in the house. Lyanna nodded, pleased she hadn't been caught at what she was really doing. "Well, I suspect it'll soon be time to blow out those candles then we can all have some cake," he smiled, gently leading her inside. As Lyanna blew out the candles, her friends and family cheering all around her, she noticed Theon wasn't back yet and right then she was mad at him for missing this, and for being with another girl.

Theon was with a lot of girls. She heard from her brothers that it was his way of coping with the fact that her father had never formally adopted or fostered him, as his own father didn't ever contact him or send him birthday or christmas cards. She was secretly glad of this.


The summer following her 16th birthday, she had spent most of her time with her friends either riding horses or taking shopping trips. Robb and Jon had tried to persuade her to come on the boat with them and Theon but she knew Theon spent most weekends at nightclubs, taking girls home with him and never seeing them again. She distanced herself from her brothers, knowing that Theon took them out with him a lot despite the fact they were a year underage. She never got asked, despite only being a year younger. A distraction came towards the end of the holidays before she were to start sixth form college, in the name of Loras Tyrell. He was her friend Margery's older brother and at 18 was a man already with his own car which made her feel grown up.

Lyanna was at a party Margery had held whilst her parents were away. She arrived with her brothers and Theon, but soon ditched them when one of her friends called her over to have some punch. She was talking on the patio with Margery when Loras, Margery's older brother approached them. Lyanna felt her face grow hot, she'd always admired Loras from afar but had never really conversed with him.

"Sorry to interrupt, but do either of you have a lighter?" he asked apologetically, holding out a cigarette.

"No Loras, you know we don't smoke," Margery snapped.

"I have one," admitted Lyanna with a blush, the look she got from her friend making her feel very small, She reached into her clutch bag and retrieved it, passing it to Loras.

"Thanks," he smiled, lighting his cigarette. "Lyanna, isn't it?" he asked, handing it back to her.

"Yes," she replied, sounding more confident than she felt.

"Nice you could make it, see you around," he smiled, holding her gaze for a moment before slinking off to join a group of friends waiting for him the other side of the patio.

"So Lyanna, about that lighter," Margery began, a disapproving look on her face.

"Oh come on, I'm not breaking the law and we're all allowed our vices," she sighed. "Just promise you won't tell my brothers or parents,"

"I won't. But seriously, i go on to my stupid brother about that shit all the time."

"He's not stupid," Lyanna blurted before she could stop herself, immediately turning red.

"What's that?" Margery smirked, as Lyanna fumbled in her bag for a cigarette of her own.

"Nothing," she mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"You're going red.. you like Loras? Seriously? Wow!" Margery squealed, delighting in the news.

"Stop it," Lyanna looked around nervously, but nobody was paying any attention to them.

"Aww you do! Don't be embarrassed, loads of girls act like that wound him all the time," Margery said flippantly, then realised she was out of punch. "I'm going to get another drink, you want one?"

"Yes please," said Lyanna, handing her empty cup over.

"OK, be right back," her friend beamed, entering the throng of the party in the house. Lyanna sat and smoked her cigarette, her face slowly returning to its normal pale colour. Margery had been some time, and Lyanna was debating whether to have another smoke or not as she waited when Loras came over again. Lyanna panicked internally but maintained a cool exterior.

"Are you OK? I notice my sister's been gone for a while," he asked, taking the seat opposite her.

"Yeah I'm fine thanks, she's gone to get some more drinks," she replied. Of their own accord, her hands slipped into her bag to retrieve another cigarette, which to her embarrassment as soon as she got to her lips she dropped before finding purchase on it. Her and Loras reached for it at the same time, almost bumping heads.

"Sorry!" they both exclaimed, then giggled after a pause.

"Smooth," he chuckled to himself, passing her the cigarette he had retrieved.

"Thanks," she took it gratefully and put it between her lips. He flicked his lighter and held it in front of her so she could spark up.

"So are you having a good time?" he asked, feeling quite lame as it wasn't the best line in the world.

"Yeah, it's really cool of you guys to do this,"

"It was my sister's idea, any excuse for a party,"

They sat and talked for a while, and the more she got to know him Lyanna found Loras funny, intelligent and very good looking. She was disappointed when Margery came back, willing her to piss off in her mind but grateful for the fresh drink.

"Sorry that took so long," Margery announced, placing a plastic tumbler in front of Lyanna. "And sorry I'll have to go again, Jeyne Pool's in the bathroom having vomited all over herself. I forgot she can't handle a drink,"

"Need any help?" asked Lyanna.

"No, no, I'll be fine thanks. I'll find you as soon as she's sorted," and with an apologetic smile she left. Lyanna took that as Margery's approval to continue whatever this was with her brother.

"Not good," commented Loras grimly. "Fancy taking a walk?"

"Where to?" Lyanna felt stupid, the Tyrells home was set in acres of beautiful gardens and lands.

"Nowhere in particular, just a walk," he smiled. Lyanna couldn't refuse. It turned out they had a great deal in common. Loras was soon to start university in Newcastle studying engineering. They both liked live music, Finnish heavy metal in particular which was something they had to play down in front of their families.

"I'm going to a gig next week if you want to come," he suggested casually, as they were sat on a bench about half a mile away from the house.

"OK, I'd like that," she replied. Loras smiled in return. It made her happy, she liked his smile. She looked around, and there was nobody else about. She was very aware of the presence of Loras beside her, he'd slid over slightly so his thigh was pressed against hers.

"Hadn't we better get back?" she asked, feeling then like a stupid child worrying about being missed.

"If you want to," he replied, disappointment ringing in his voice.

"I don't have to," she smiled at him.

"Good," he replied. "I wouldn't want to go back without kissing you," Lyanna was taken by surprise, she wasn't expecting this. Hoping, yes. She sat still as he moved his face closer to hers. "You are very pretty," he murmured, stroking the side of her face gently. Lyanna held her breath as he moved his lips to hers, softly. His mouth was so warm and soft, and she liked the feeling of his lips on hers. She moved slightly so that she was facing him head on and he could deepen their kiss. She felt a moment of panic as his tongue entered her mouth but that was soon replaced by something else. She was enjoying the kiss, and missed his lips when he carefully pulled them away.

"We can go back now if you like," he smiled.

"OK," was all she could muster, glad it was dark so he wouldn't see how red her face was. When they got back, there were more people on the patio. She spotted her brothers, and hoped they wouldn't embarrass her, especially as Loras had her hand in his. He'd been guiding her through the darkness, and had thus far failed to let go.

"Lyanna! There you are," called Jon. He was uncharacteristically jovial, a sign he was probably drunk.

"Where have you been?" asked Robb, not harshly before noticing her hand was in Loras's. She abruptly pulled it away.

"We went for a walk," she answered.

"Is that all?" asked Robb sternly, eyeing Loras who kept a respectful distance.

"Yes," Lyanna rolled her eyes. "Where's Theon?"

"In one of the bedrooms, I think," grinned Jon.

"There's a surprise," she scoffed. "I'm going to have a drink with Loras, let me know when you're heading back,"

"OK," said Robb. That night, Loras asked if she would be his girlfriend. She accepted, and it was the start of her first real relationship. Although she loved Loras and spent as much time with him as she could, it still got to her when Theon was with other girls. She didn't know what this meant, and never told another soul. It benefitted Loras anyway, as she took out her passion and frustration on him in ways which he enjoyed.