Disclaimer: My partner and I don't own Game of Thrones or any of the characters or places mentioned from that series. It belongs to George R.R. Martin! We only own our .

As she lay in bed, Amelia Reyne couldn't seem to get comfortable. The long hours of tossing and turning had done nothing to help her find sleep. Finally giving up, she climbed out of bed, grabbing the robe that lay on the chair next to the fireplace. 'This was going to be another restless night', she told herself, a groan escaping her mouth.

Walking over to open window, she tied her robe shut. The plains surrounding the keep were full of grass, flowers, and life. Animals often grazed and gave birth in their fields. Tonight was different. It was dark and barren. There was no wind to make the grass sway. Some feared that winter was soon upon them as the nights were starting to become increasingly cooler. Amelia knew it had nothing to do with another winter. It was the cold that the dead feel just before they meet their Gods.

Turning her back to the window, her legs carried her to the kitchens. The room was completely empty, which wasn't uncommon for this time of night. There was a bucket of water on the counter nearest to the doorway that lead to the dining room. Grabbing one of the recently washed goblets, Amelia filled the cup with water. As the cool liquid ran down her throat, it didn't seem to help calm her thoughts.

Suddenly there was the sound of breaking wood, like firewood was being chopped at a distance. Shouting quickly covered the sound of the wood, as guards ran past the dining room toward the gates. The sound of steel being readied joined the chorus. Over all the noise, Amelia could only make out the words, "We are under at-"

Then the whole castle seemed to erupt into panic. More guards came running down to protect their lord. The nobles ran from their rooms screaming, after they had been awoken by the maids. Amelia fled from the dining room as she heard her family's screams. Fear gripped at her stomach. Her family was dying all around her. She tried to keep down the feeling of sadness that tried to overcome her.

She only wanted to get to her father. He would protect her and drive back the evil that had broken into their home. Running through the halls was like fighting a current with all the people that were trying to escape. The screams got louder as she got closer to her father. With each new scream, Amelia felt very ill. It was so sickening to hear.

As she ran around the corner to her father's chambers, someone grabbed her from behind and pulled her into the shadows. Amelia tried to fight against the strong hands that gripped her flesh. As she struggled, she saw a shine on the wall as the man behind her readied his sword. This was the end. Sobs left Amelia's mouth as she heard the sword rush through the air toward her. She wasn't ready to die. She had only just celebrated her twelfth name day.

Suddenly she heard a powerful voice yell out, "Move!"

Amelia was just able to move her head to the side as her father's blade met the head of the man behind her. His grip became loose and his hand fell away from her forearm, as he fell to the floor. She could see the crimson cloak fall over the fallen soldier's face. A Lannister soldier. She froze, unable to move for a minute. The Lannisters had come to kill them all. Tywin was going to get his revenge.

"Come child!" Her father demanded. "We must go, now!"

Once the gravity of his words hit her, Amelia ran after her father. They went to his room, where her father rushed over to the bookcase. His long, fat fingers grabbed a book that was on the first row. There was a metallic click and he was able to push the bookcase away from the wall, revealing an escape tunnel. They followed the stone path for what seemed like forever. It was very dark and she even tripped a few times. She was sure they would die in this darkness.

After their long trek down the tunnel, the light finally hit Amelia. They were in the horse barn that housed the lord's horse. All the stable boys were nowhere to be found and Amelia was afraid that they had met the Lannisters and had perished. Her father quickly readied her horse. It only took a moment for her to realize his horse wasn't ready.

"No, I don't want to leave you." She sobbed.

"You must, daughter." He whispered, pained that he had to let her face the world alone.

Amelia sobbed as her father picked her up and placed her on her horse. He slipped all the coins and jewelry he had on his person into her saddle bag. "Now ride and live my child."

"No!" Amelia was sobbing even harder now. "I won't leave! Not without you!"

Her father made her choice for her as he slapped her horse's butt, which sent her flying into the night. It took all of Amelia's strength not to look back. She knew her father was still watching. Her sadness and desire to live drove her away from her burning home and her father, who would surely meet his end at the hands of the Lannisters.

Tears slid down her cheeks as she rode into the night. The desire to turn back almost won out, but her father had given his life to save her. She had to live, if only to honor her father's memory.

Only once she felt she was at a safe distance, Amelia turned her horse to face her childhood home. She saw that the castle was burning to the ground, smoke was being thrown into the air, hiding the stars from the world. The screaming that echoed through the valley finally seemed to stop. She stifled the sobs that racked through her body.

Her whole family were dead.

"You will pay for this, Tywin Lannister." She whispered vengefully.

After one final look, Amelia patted her horse and they rode into the darkness of the night.

A/N: Goddess of Roses here! This is a story that I am co-writing with DarylDixon'sLover. I am so excited about it! Don't worry a new chapter of Brides of the North is still in the works! So let us know what you think and we will post again soon!