A/N Hey guys! Sorry for the wait. Lost my flash drive and found out freshman year at college is hard. I'll do my best to update as soon as possible. As a treat, I'm revamping the story and adding a lot more interesting stuff. Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Claire

I cried out as I stabbed at the dummy with all my might. I spun and hit it again. I imagined the dummy striking back, blocked its fake blow, and kicked it. This deadly dance went on for nearly twenty minutes, until I was sweating under the warm sun. I sighed as I backed away from my opponent and looked around the training yard. It was filled with soldiers and guards testing their mettle against various wooden dummies. None of them paid me any mind. They were used to me training alongside them as I had done since I was a young child and Father had given me my first sword. I noticed my mother standing on a balcony with a couple guests. I waved enthusiastically. Mother shook her head at me and smiled.

"When you're done your father wants to see you! He's in the main hall!" she called.

I sighed and sheathed my weapon. "Very well!" I replied, making my way through the castle towards my room to get cleaned up. Father was supposed to be speaking with Arl Howe and I figured I should at least look decent. After washing my face and combing my hair, I dug a red dress from my wardrobe. After dabbing on a little perfume, I headed to the great hall. As I walked, I wondered why Father wanted to speak with me. My heart leapt at the thought of going into battle with Father and Fergus. I smiled to myself and was so lost in thought that I ran right into Ser Gilmore and ended up flat on the floor.

"My lady! I'm sorry!" he said, taking my hand and pulling me back to my feet. "My mind was elsewhere."

"As was mine." I managed to say, trying to hide the fact that I was blushing.

"Is everything alright my lady?" He asked.

"I'm fine." I said. "Thank you, Ser Gilmore."

He just looked at me for a moment. "You look ravishing today." He said.

I didn't know what to say. It was completely unexpected and he'd never said anything like that the entire time we'd known each other. I suddenly found myself unable to breathe. "I… er… thank you."

He cleared his throat. "I should… tend to… things."

"Are you marching out with the others tomorrow?" I blurted as he began to walk away.

"No. Your father wishes me to stay." He turned around.

"That's nice."

"Indeed it is."

"I… uh… need to see my father." I said. "He has something important to discuss with me."

"Shall I escort you?"

"Don't you have duties to attend to?"

"I have no pressing matters."

"Very well then." I smiled. He offered his arm and I took it. Arm in arm, we walked to the main hall.

As we neared the door, Ser Gilmore released my arm.

"Safe and sound." He said, smiling.

"Thank you, Ser. Your assistance is most appreciated." I replied.

He laughed. "You are most welcome, my lady."

"Claire."

He looked surprised. "What?"

"You can call me Claire. As long as no one else is around to hear and tell Mother."

"As you wish."

We just stared at each other.

"I should really get going. Will I see you at supper tonight?" I asked.

"I will be there if my lady wishes it." Again, he stole my breath.

"I would very much like to see you there." I said.

"Then I will be there. Farewell, my lady." He kissed my hand and left.

I found myself standing there with holding the hand he had kissed to my chest. No one had ever treated me like that. He was the first man I'd met who didn't act like I was some fragile sculpture about to shatter, which was probably because I'd known Ser Gilmore since he'd come to Highever. We'd become fast friends and spent most of our time playing together when we were young. But he'd never done anything like this. Until now. I smiled to myself as I stepped into the great hall.