CHAPTER 1

"If you came any closer I will kill you" she said to him, a man with green eyes and golden hair as she tight her grip on her sword, she as to be strong now she told herself. She was the Iron princess her father always told her that, she Greyjoy and they don't sow,

"put sword little girl it over'' the man said to her he voice was not king or rough either, but she sstill didn't feel safe they kill her brothers and they going to kill me too, but I will kill them before they do I will avenge Rodrik and Maron,

"Why don't we chop her head off and brought it to her father'' another man say and laugh "am sure Balon Greyjoy will love to see his children heads on his pyke'' that man throw them cold stare

"No one is going to touch her or I will take off they hand if they do'' the man said gaze at her

"What is your name little girl''

"Am not little'' she shout at him the other man can't help but laugh. He smile at her sweetly, he admire her bravely for child of her age it was rear to see "okay can you tell me you name'' he study her for moment "I will not hurt you I promise'' he put his sword down and move close to her

"Bella. My name is Arabella Greyjoy'' she said

"okay ,am going to call you Ara if is that is okay with you'' she node her head "that good now Ara am going to take that sword off your hand and we going to see you father'' he took off the sword from her hand and blush her hairs away from her pretty little face and smile at her "do you know who am Ara'' she shook her head

"My name is Jaime lannister'' he said

"You member of king's guard'' she ask sweetly "are you going to kill me like the way you kill my brothers'' he could sense fear in her but she was brave not to show it to him

"I didn't kill your brother Ara '' she look at him silence "and am not going to kill you, now come let go and find you father'' he scoop her up in his arm and move down to the stare where Robbert and Ned stark were

"kingslayer'' the king growl " who is that'' the king ask when Jaime enter in the room. Jaime put her on her feet and took hold in his hand

"my king meet Arabella Greajoy the last child of Lord Balon greajoy'' the king move close to her but she move and hide herself behind Jaime and tight her grip on his hand. Robbert laugh hard think how can anybody think they safe in hands of kingslayer

"she trust you'' Robbert laugh and turn to look at his friend Ned who only look at Jaime and say nothing. But soon Lord Balon Greajoy and his other two living children were brought in the room with the guard, Arabella saw her father with Asha and Theon her only living brother he was the heir of their father now, she lets go of Jaime hands and run to her father, Balon was surprise to see her there she was suppose to be in ship which it will take her far away from the pyke

"papa'' she run to him and he catch her into his arms his little girl the only child hislady wife gave him before she pass away "Bella'' he whisper "you suppose to be in the ship''

"This is your only living son'' the king ask as he moving close to Theon and look at the boy he was little boy , Balon put Bella on the ground and hold her hand

"Yes'' he answer looking at the man he order the death of his two other sons, Robbert study the boy "Ned'' Lord Stark turn and looking at his king "my king''

"You will take the boy with you as your ward and foster him in winterfell'' he said turn his gaze to the little girl

"My king'' Robbert turn and look at the man who proclaim himself as king "Theon is my own living son and the heir, you can't take him away from me''

"you should thought of that before you wage a war against me Balon'' but for moment Robbert realize taken Theon will not pain Balon as much the little girl will, she was the last child with his lady wife and he love her more than any of his children, he look at him when he scoop her up and hold her tight in his arms when she cry after he announce he was taken Theon away "how old is she '' he ask looking at him

"She will turn four after two moon'' Balon replied

'Take the boy will not be the punish enough for you lord Balon'' he was surprise to hear him said that "so who you will want take also Robbert, I don't have any other son to give you''

"calling you king by his name is treason Greajoy'' Robbert growl , but Balon didn't care he only smooth his daughter back and shush her to sleep "I will take the girl away from you too'' he rise his gaze and look at him

"And what you intend to do with Asha, betrone her to you son'' but before Robbert he can replied Greajoy knew it was not Asha he wants to take it was Bella "she just a child my king you can't take her away from her home''

"and why not you wage war against me, some parent loose they children to defend the realm you intend to destroy'' Robbert said angry, he took the girl away from Balon Greajoy and look at her she was starting to cry "I don't understand why a ugly man like you can have such pretty thing like her''

"papa, please not let them take me'' Bella cry for her father help , Greajoy run to her but the guard stop him, Ned look at him and feel sorry for him, he know how it feel to lose the one you love he move close to his friend ''Robbert let him keep her''

''no, Ned ''

'and who do you intend to foster her too'' he ask "my wife is big with baby and Robb and Jon are the same old with her, she can't take care of her'' Robbert only look at his friend

"kingslayer'' Jaime move close to his king "do you ever wish to have kids''

"Am member of king'sguard my king , I can't have children'' Jaime answer him

"What if I can give you a kid to rise as you own'' Ned was surprise by his friend behavior

"Robbert you can't do that''

"I can and I will. Jaime you will foster the girl and take care of her as her father but her well fare will belong to me I will have a say on who she will wed and where she will stay'' Jaime look at the girl and smile at her she was very sweet and brave it will be fun to live with her

"Robbert please stop this madness, she only child for gods seek'' Ned pledge to him

"Come Ned, she will be my ward under kingslayer care and my wife, she will have a better life I gave you my word as king'' he only look at him, he knew there was no end to Robbert madness

"At least let him say his farewell before you take them away from him''

"okay , Guard release lord Balon'' the guard move away, Jen run to her father with Theon on her back, Balon hug them tight, touch they face as if he want to memorize every inch of the body

"Papa I don't want to go'' Bella said, he blush the tears off her face "I know'' he whisper "but one day we will meet again, until then you have to be strong both of you'' the only node

"Don't forget who you are'' he said to them

"We won't'' Theon said, he smile gently at them "we are Ironborn''

"And we are not sow'' Bella added. It was her brother Theon who give her the nickname Bella, he told her, her mane was very long and he can't call her Arabella it wastage of time and she always tease him by call him "T'' Theon would chase her when she did and when he catch her he will tickle her , she will laugh until she couldn't catch her breath

"The life may be difficult there but you have to endure it okay'' Balon told them

"Okay'' they both said at once

"come along Balon we don't get the all day'' the king growl , he let go of his children and watch as the guard escort them outside, Bella stop and turn and look at her father for the last time, Theon took her hand and they continue to move again. They board the ship watch as they home disappear in their eyes

"Are we going to be okay T", she ask her brother he only look at her and node he was child too and he didn't know what the future hold, Theon wrap her into his arms, blush her hairs gently "we will'' he whisper "we are ironborn remember'' he told her, she only look at him.

-0-

"Harder'' Jaime roar at her when she strike her opponent "am trying'' she yell back "it very hard to concentrate while you yelling at me''

"You fight like girl '' he told he

"I am I girl'' she replied ignore his comment she was already get use to it so she put her attention on her opponent,

"Go easy on her Jaime she just child'' Ser Barristan Selmy can't help but smile as he told him. Jaime groan after her opponent strike her "you need to have a balance, Ara''

"Why don't you come here so I can show how much balance I have'' she told him, she was very annoyed by his comment now, he was not the one who get kicked. She could her laughter in yard, Jaime decide to shut up, she was glad he did it was difficult to concentrate while he is yelling at her. Ara derive the final strike and put the boy to his feet. The morning air felt good on her face. She leaned on his sword, drew a deep breath, and allowed herself a moment to savor the victory.

"How is that," Ara ask him sharply. Jaime was happy to see her win, she was improve everyday but he didn't want to spoil her much "good''

"Only good," she was shock with his replied "I totally knock him down''

"you let him strike you twice'' she was furious, how can't he admit she did the best "good is not enough, I what to be the best'' she strode toward him, standing on her tiptoe looking direct into his green eyes "The truth now, uncle Jaime'' she commanded.

"Impressive Ara'' ser Barristan selmy said to her "thank you ser Barristan you so kind unlike someone I knew'' ser Barristan only smile at her "go easy on him, I know he can be an ass sometime but he is best sword man in realm'' Ser Barristan whisper with smile on his face and look at Jaime

"Okay you're the best," Jaime admitted, she was happy to hear him admit. Jaime was her friend, family to her he always there for ever since her arrival in kingslanding, eleven eyes has passed now and she was girl of fourteen years. Arabella grow to be the most beautiful young girl in westeros, her body was very well curve, she has a very beautiful shape with long black hair and beautiful grey eyes and pink lips, smile sweetly at Jaime, the only person who love her and protect, he treat her as if she was his own child defend her against Joffrey and Cersei agony but soon her smile fade away when Joffrey decide to show up

He moves close to where they were standing with ser Barristan and ser Jaime. "What are doing here Arabella?"

Whatever I do here it none of your business, Ara thought, but she said, "Practicing my prince." She bows her head and gaze where her uncle was, she call Jaime uncle he told her to call him that when she arrival in king'slanding

Joffrey reflected a moment. "Didn't mother forbid you to fight?" He lean down and took the sword on the ground "women are not suppose to held a sword'' he said

"In Pyke they are, my prince" Ara said.

Joffrey glanced back at her and then his uncle Jaime and Ser Barrastin. "You're not in that scrap island you call home anymore" he look at her "you like to fight so much aren't you'' he move close and push her chin up so she can look at him while his talking

"Leave her alone Joffrey'' Jaime said, Joffrey pull away and look at his uncle. He drew his sword and showed it to her; a longsword adroitly shrunken to suit a boy of twelve, gleaming blue steel, castle-forged and double-edged, with a leather grip and a lion's-head pommel in gold. Gwen exclaimed over it admiringly, and Joffrey looked pleased. "I call it Lion's Tooth," he said."Go on, pick up you sword,'' she hesitated. "Or do you afraid I will hurt you?" she want to tell him I afraid am going to kick your ass like I always do whenever you challenge me but she didn't

"no my prince," she said uncertainly, she knew he was horrible in sword fight and she can easily knock him down but she fear what the queen will do to her the last time she bite him he gave her to the knight so they can teach her a lesson if it wasn't be for Jaime gods know what they would to her.

Arabella had only glance at him and see the flush on his face and turn her gaze to Jaime and ser Barristan.

"Are you going to pick up your sword?"

Ara shook her head. "It's only a stick, m'lord. It's not no sword, it's only a stick."

"And you're only a girl, and no a knight." Joffrey lifted Lion's Tooth and laid its point on Ara's cheek below the eye.

"Pick it up or I will tell my mother. You know what she will do to you if she find out" A bright bud of blood blossomed where his sword pressed into Arabella's flesh, and a slow red line trickled down the her cheek.

"Stop it!" Jaime screamed. "Can't you see you hurting her''.

"Uncle, you stay out of this." Joffrey laughed. " She will heal like she always does." Anger flush into Jaime eyes "if you want to fight her you will fight her, but for one condition'' he said

"Jaime'' ser Barristan said he remember the last time she due him, Jaime turn and look at him "someone need to teach him a lesson, Ser Barristan''

"the last time she laid her hand on him you sister gave her to the ser merryn'' Ser Barristan remind him "if it wasn't for Renly and Tyrion gods know what would happen to her''

"I wasn't here then, now am here I will not let anyone hurt her''

"And what it is," Prince Joffrey ask his uncle, never taking his eyes off her.

Jaime went for him "she will fight you with a really still like you''

"Okay' Prince Joffrey said without any consideration, Jaime looked annoyed at his nephew behavior, he could understand why the boy could be so stupid and arrogant, he move close and gave Ara the sword. "Don't go easy on him'' her eyes wide, Jaime could see her fear "the only way he can stop bully you around is if you bite him in front of all this knights''

She took the sword from his hand and look at the prince Joffrey swung his sword. Arya swung with both hands. There was a loud crack as Joffrey swung at her , but Ara caught the blow on Lion's Tooth her eyes were on fire. The kinghts were shrieking, one move close to Jaime and whisper "stop her ser she going to hurt him and the queen will not like it" but Jaime wasn't listening. she scooped up a rock and hurled it at Joffrey's head. She hit his hand instead, and cut his hand. Joffrey slashed at Ara with his sword, screaming obscenities, terrible words, filthy words. Ara darted back and finally she disarms him. The steel fell from his fingers as she knocked him off his feet,she move close to him and point her sword into his face . "Get it off," he screamed. "Get it off!"

Ara's voice cracked like a whip. "don't you dare challenge me again" . The prince lay in the grass, whimpering, cradling his mangled arm. His shirt was soaked in blood. Ara said, "i didn't hurt you... much." She picked up Lion's Tooth where it had fallen, and stood over him, holding the sword with both hands.

Joffrey made a scared whimpery sound as he looked up at her. "No," he said, "don't hurt me. I'll tell my mother."

"it enough now Ara" Jaime said at her as he move close to her "go'' he told him.

Ara whirled and heaved the sword into the air, putting her whole body into the throw it

-0-

"The gown fit you perfect my Lady," Jocelyn said as she laced up the her new gown, it was gift from her uncle Jaime, he always make sure she has pretty thing like gold hearing, bracelets, chain every day "

"Perfect," said Jocelyn. For herself,

To Jocelyn she said, "Thank you Joce" it was very nice gown red in color and well embroider, but soon the door was open and Maria one of the queen handmaids enter

"the king require you presence in the dining room my lady," she knew she was in trouble again, "Damn that woman!" Ara whisper to herself, striding to the door.

The hall was loud with drunken Robbert shouting, Arabella Greyjoy, looking down from the gallery, too few by far. She could see the fury in Queen eyes, Jocelyn had said as much, as the walk down on the stair. "she is going to kill me," she observed, Joce look at the queen she was realy hungry, and her mouth had tightened. "Ser Jaime wouldn't let her, he love you like his own child" she was not wrong, but Ara could not agree with her, this was queen they talking about the sister of her uncle and he swear to protect her. She did not doubt his devotion to her, but she is ironborn, the daughter of man who wage war against the king

"She is here my queen'' the maid said when they enter in the room

"come along now girl I don't get the all day to listen to this madness'' She move close to table

"I want her punish Robbert'' the queen said. The king stirred. "Quiet, woman," he snapped. He straightened in his seat. The queen stepped forward "she attacked my son and tried to tear his arm off." Robbert was sick tire with his wife "he is also my son and your aren't see me brag about it''

That's not true," Ara said loudly. "he is the one who challenge me"

"Joff told us what happened," the queen said. "You found him in yard practice and you challenge him to fight you"

"That's not how it was," Ara said, tears start to pull in her eyes.

"Yes it is!" Prince Joffrey insisted. "you attacked me, and she threw Lion's Tooth !" Robbert noticed that he did not so much as glance at Ara as he spoke.

"Liar!" Ara yelled.

"Shut up!" the prince yelled back.

"Enough!" the king roared, rising from his seat, his voice thick with irritation. Silence fell. He glowered at Ara through his thick beard. "Now, child, you will tell me what happened. Tell it all, and tell it true. It is a great crime to lie to a king." Then he looked over at his son. "When she is done, you will have your turn. Until then, hold your tongue."

As Ara began her story, Renly Baratheon began to laugh when she explain how she knocked him down. The king bristled and then Lord Renly stifled his laughter.

" how can you let a girl managed to disarm you and throw your sword ." Robbert ask his son,

Prince Joffrey was pale as he began his very different version of events. When his son was done talking, the king rose heavily from his seat, looking like a man who wanted to be anywhere but here. "What in all the seven hells am I supposed to make of this? He says one thing, she says another."

"Robert, I want her punished." Cersei

"Seven hells," Robert swore. "Cersei, look at her. She's a child. What would you have me do, whip her through the streets? Damn it, children fight. It's over. No lasting harm was done."

The queen was furious. "Joff will carry those scars for the rest of his life."

Robert Baratheon looked at his eldest son. "So he will. Perhaps they will teach him a lesson"

Robert started to walk away, but the queen was not done. "I don't want her to hold a sword anymore"

The king stopped, turned back, frowned. "she is ironborn and they taught to fight since they were children I can't stop her"

The queen raised her voice. "If you can't punish her I will"

"Seven hells," Robert grumbled. "Do whatever you like" Robert's face darkened with anger. The queen regarded him coolly "Juliana make sure Arabella find her chamber and no one should feed her tonight'' Renly look at Cersei can't understand why she can be heartless. The king looked at her for a long moment, and then turned his eyes on his wife. "Damn you, Cersei," he said with loathing. Robert looked at Ara with flat, dead eyes and left without a word, his footsteps heavy as lead. Silence filled the hall Renly beside him "you can't let her starve the girl Robbert,'' Renly said to his brother "Arabella is sweet girl and she is your ward that make her you responsibility''

"Find Jaime and tell him about the girl, he will know what to do'' Robbert said and Renly took his leave

Cersei Lannister smile when her husband was gone. Beside her, Prince Joffrey was smiling, Tommen and Myrcella were too quite, they only look at her .Ara didn't wait for the maid to escort her, she run away from the room climb on the stare as faster as she can when she reach her chamber she bolt the door from the inside and throw on her bed crying wonder if the stark treat her brother the same or if he have a better life than her, but she heard people say Ned Stark was honorable man even the king told her. She went to the window seat and sat there looking at the sea and the ships sailing off she wish she could run away from that horrible place but where she could go, Pyke she thought to herself back to her sister Asha and her father but she doesn't remember anything about her home she was too little when they take her away. She could feel tears stinging her eyes. She rubbed them away angrily, determined not to cry. There was knocking on her door. "my lady are you in here''

"No!" she shouted .but they still a pounding at her door, louder than before she knew they must be the guard send by queen, she remember when Jaime was not in castle she queen send them to whip her because she refuse to play with Joff she was little girl of seven years she didn't know how defend herself back then but now she knew, I will fight them she thought I wouldn't let them hurt me again am ironborn . "Arabella Greyjoy, you open this door at once, do you hear me?" Ara move to her closet, she open it and took her sword Jaime gave to her when she turn ten

Ara spun around, with Needle in her hand. "You better not come in here!" she warned. She slashed at the air savagely.

"The queen will hear of this!" knight raged.

"I don't care," Ara screamed. "Go away." But soon she here a familiar voice behind the door follow by a soft knock at the door behind her, she drop the sword on the ground

"Ara," her Uncle Jaime voice called out. "Open the door. We need to talk. Come on now little captain no one will harm you I promise"

Ara crossed the room and lifted the bolt from the door. He was not alone Jocelyn was with him carry a tray full of food. He seemed very sad "May I come in?" she didn't answer him instead she run to him and hug him tight and start to sob. "leave us now" Jaime told Jocelyn after she finish serve the food on the table

"That's enough." Jaime's voice was very low and soft and pull her so she can face him "I try to explain, but..." Her eyes filled with tears. "I told her it wasn't my fault." The grief came on her all at once. She turned away, shaking. "I told her," she cried. "But she didn't listen, she never listen and she was going to hurt me if the king didn't stop her. Am very scary uncle''

Suddenly Jaime's arms were around her. He held her gently as she turned to him and sobbed against his chest. "It alright now, sweet one," he murmured. "It going to be alright, I will not let her hurt you again like she did before'' he assures her

"I hate them," Ara confided, red-faced, sniffling. "The queen and Prince Joffrey. I hate all of them. Joffrey lied, it wasn't the way he said'' Jaime only shush her, he hate to see her sad and cry

"Come now let's eat before the food get cold, am starving'' he wipe the tears off and lead her to sit on the chair

"How do you know'' she ask him, Jaime took a piece of meat and put it on her plate

"That the queen send you to your bed without food'' he look at her "Lord Renly told me, he was very worry about you'' he said with a smile, "he always do'' she whisper to herself. She felt safe now with him beside her, she knew no one will dare to hurt her when he is around. They finish to eat the maid come and clear the table, she climb on her bed Jaime tuck her in like he always do, he always treat her like child "You don't have to tuck me in uncle, am not a kid any more'' Ara whispered.

"You always be a kid to me, go to sleep now my little captain'' he lean to kiss her and blow the candle off