Prologue
Eddard looked at his sister: his face a flood with emotion. There was his best friend Robert perched on the side of the bed squeezing Lyanna's hand: Ned had never seen Robert look so focused. They both knew at the end of this there would be a body to bury. Lyanna turned her head to look straight at Ned.
"Brother- Come. There is business to discuss" She said weakly.
Ned perched on the other side of his sister, her hand reached for his. She looked so young. It was Ned's job to protect her and he had failed. He had failed as a brother and as a soldier- silent tears ran down his cheek. Lyanna reached up wiping them from his cheek.
"We know that I do not have long to live" Lyanna said, no sign of fear in her voice "The old gods tell me this is my time. Before I depart this world however I ask both of you to fulfil two dying wishes. First I wish to be buried in Winterfell "
"Lyanna, my sweetheart, you'll be ok. This is just a fever from the southern sun nothing more." Robert mumbled through tears and sobs
Lyanna shot him a look and soon after his mumbling stopped, she then turned to Ned who simply nodded waiting to hear the rest.
"I will give birth to this child… It will be your duties to ensure that they are protected and safe at all times. That they have a family. No one must know of her father. They will remain in Winterfell with Ed. Robert you must swear to me that you will let no one harm my baby- the last living piece of me"
Robert hesitated, looking away from Lyanna. Ned could practically hear his mind working trying to way up the pro's and con's of the demand Lyanna had made. He turned his face stern to look at Lyanna. The minute his eyes met with hers the stern look faded. "Damn you woman. You'll be the death of me." He laughed before clearing his throat "I swear by the old gods and the new that your child shall remain protected by me until my dying day."
Lyanna squeeze his hand. Sweat beads were now running down her forehead her brow furrowed in pain. "They don't plan on waiting much longer" she laughed her hand stroking her stomach, "And you my brother, do you swear to give my child a home? Do you promise she will be loved and that no one other than your lady wife will know of her father? Do you promise to raise her as a high born? Allow her all the experiences we have had?"
"By the old gods and the new, I swear it, Sister"
Lyanna smiled before letting out and agonising scream. Before he could process it Ned and Robert were been pushed out by the Septa and mid-wifes, his mind a blaze with fears.
Eddard took the squealing bundle in his arms, she fell silent at his touch, he looked down at the child. Studying her. Her hair was resembled that of most the Starks, a dark brown that could easily be mistaken for black, her eyes however where the give away of which houses she came from. Although they were grey even a blind man could not miss the flecks of violet that danced around her pupil. The more Ned looked at her the more he could see her father. Silver strands of her danced underneath the dark brown and her skin was almost as silver as those strands. His fears were just about to surface when the child grabbed at his beard pulling down on it. Ed smiled, this was his blood. He had made an oath and a man of honour keeps those oaths regardless of how crazy they are. He felt the Septa's eyes burning into him. He glanced up to meet her eyes and did not even have to ask.
"My sister is dead" was all he could manage to muster. The Sepeta nodded opening her mouth as if to say something but was cut short by Robert.
"That bastarding bitch killed my Lyanna" Robert sobbed pointing his sword at the child in Ned's arms "I'll kill it"
Ned held the baby closer "You will do nothing of the sort Robert. You promised my Sister no harm would come to her child. And my the gods be merciful if you break your vow to the woman you claimed to love"
Robert paused, looking at the child. "No harm will come to her. Just to her father." With that Robert swung around and marched out the door leaving Ned to make arrangements for his new niece.
