Lillianna's POV
I stood within the stables lent again the dark wood of one of the supporting beams of the large building, flipping my dagger in my pale hand catching the leather handle then the blade and repeating the action. I had been waiting for Jon and Robb for quite some time now, growing increasingly bored as time passed by. Looking out across the busy bleak court yard of Winterfell my eyes met Theon's he smirked causing me to glare at him with a glare that was sharper than my dagger which I continued to flip absentmindedly in my hand, the Greyjoy boy was worse than the whore's who lived here but he had decided that as we were both wards of Lord Eddard Stark he could try it on with me when ever he felt like it. My attention was drawn to Robb and Jon as they approached talking between themselves, I pushed my self lazily of of the beam I was lent against and sheathed my dagger in the sheath I had attached to my thigh. As they approached we all shared a grin with one another, "Lillianna, how long have you been waiting" I shrugged looking the the red headed Robb "long enough but I suppose you both needed time to pretty yourselves up" he glared and lunged catching me in headlock, I flipped him but he kept his grip tight around me pulling me down onto the muddy ground with him. I struggled in his grip laughing as my silver white hair fell into my face as I struggled to break free of his grip. Eventually I distracted him with a punch to the stomach which gave me enough time to clamber quickly to my feet, watching as Robb who was quite out of breath managed to just about climb onto his feet with the help of the wall. I pulled my hair out of the braid it had originally been in and pulled it back, in the way many men with long hair did to keep it from bothering them. Jon gave us both a look despite that he was used to our antics, we were all a similar age and I thought of them both as brothers, the rest of the Stark's however I did not associate myself with. "You two finished, I want to get out and hunt" Jon said with a smile on his face, our horses were already saddled which we could be thanked by my boredom whilst waiting for the boys to finish whatever had taken them both so long. None of us bothered with calling the young stable hands to lead our horses to the court yard instead, mounting our steads in the stabled and ridding out into the courtyard. "Ready?" Robb asked us both, we nodded and we led our horses slowly through the market place stalls finally out of the way of sellers, blacksmiths and all others we all started to a gallop, heading into the covers of the trees and hopefully to some unsuspecting animals.
After a short while I dismounted knowing that my horse was going to be far to loud in the undergrowth and I would be better off on foot, I tied his reins to a tree branch and gave his black coat a stroke before heading off on foot, my bow on my back and quiver fully filled. I also had a sword strapped to my hip, but that was more incase of running into some unsavoury characters that were often hidden in the woodlands that were less than friendly, not that it would be of much use I was a better fighter with my dagger than a sword. After walking for a short time I crouched low my keen ears picking up on the sound of some animal noises, I reached out pulling some small thicket branches to one side with my slender fingers to reveal the sight of a family of deer the young couldn't be more than three months old. I pulled my bow from my back slowly never taking my eyes from the deer, I pulled an arrow free and loaded my bow and pulled it taunt waiting for the best moment it turned slightly looking out at something I couldn't see. And the arrow left my bow silent and deadly not a sound was heard apart from the dead animal dropping to the ground with a dull thud. I reloaded with deadly speed determined to strike at least two and caught the mother as she ran with her does leaving them running loudly through the forest in fear. The two largest of the animals lay dead in the clearing, I made my way out into the clearing keeping my senses on all that was going on around me instead to the dead animals I was heading for as they posed no threat to me, but you never know who could sneak up on you so I was on high alert. Fortunately there was no need to as I was left uninterrupted as I dragged the animals back to my horse one by one, slinging them over the him just behind the saddle and then securing them before remounting my horse. I gave him a gentle pat on the neck before taking the reins and giving a gentle kick and we trotted slowly back to the forest border where we always met. It was a calm serene walk back and I took my time enjoying the facade of freedom that I would never have.
Coming to the edge of the trees I could see the two figures of Jon and Robb mounted and seemingly talking together, the closer I got I could see that only Jon had an animal on his horse they hadn't been as fortunate as me apparently, I came to a halt a few yards away as the two boys inspected my kills. "Good hunt for you then" Robb said sounding quite annoyed, I gave Jon a questioning look and he gave me a look that read I will tell you later. We all headed back to winterfell in a companionable silence, arriving back we took our kills to the stiflingly hot kitchens where the kitchen staff rushed around excitedly, it would all help with the welcoming feast for the king tomorrow evening. I headed up through the winterfell castle at a brisk pace glaring at all I passed, I was respectful of Lord Stark and close with Jon and Robb but I did not pretend to be happy about my imprisonment when my brother and sister were still alive somewhere far off. My life was balanced on a knifes edge and I knew only to well how easy it was to fall from that edge, after many attempts on my life, I had persuaded Lord Stark to allow me to train with the boys claiming it would put my mind at ease that I could at least defend myself if ever the need arose and it had on many occasions and my practices had saved my life. As well as warning to the other ward who lived within these walls that I was not to be underestimated, his skin now marked with scars to remind him of my hate for him. I walked into my room which was considerably warmer than I had expected due to the fire that was already roaring in the hearth, I discarded my heavy cloak onto the bed it's furs moving as I did so, I rubbed my hands over my face, and took the sheath of my dagger off from where It was strapped to my thigh dagger still inside of it, the second dagger that I kept hidden in my boot came out and met the other on the wooden table beside the door, before unclipping the sword from my waist. I pulled off my dirty covered clothes to my undergarments and slipped into some lighter clean clothing yet it was still trousers as the boys wore before leaving my room and heading to the baths. The baths in the castle were in fact rather pleasant deep and large and the water was heated well due to the ongoing fires that roared deep within the heart of the castle, going in I filled the baths which didn't take long entirely with the hot water, before walking into the scalding water, making my skin burn but warming my soul deep within me which alway seemed so cold I barely noticed the small pain it caused. I closed my eyes and let my head sink beneath the water of the bath and sat at the bottom of the bath, my mind clearing off all the thoughts that seemed to plague me so horribly so very often and allowing me some semblance of peace, even through my closed eyes I could tell the light had been obscured and I opened them seeing the shape of a shadow above the bath. I knew who it was instantly as even though my vision was obscured by the water the dark hair gave him away. I rose from the water not bothering to hide my nakedness, we had grown up as siblings and I had nothing to be ashamed off, "can I help you Jon?" I asked pushing my long hair back from my pale face. "I just wished to know that you were ok, that Theon had not bothered you?" I smirked at the only family I had ever truly known "he knows not to brother, or Ros will be without her most common customer" Jon smiled at me "I would expect no less from you sister, forgive me for underestimating you" "you do not need my forgiveness as I never bore anger towards you Jon" I sighed and turned in the water and leaning my head back against his knee and letting out a content breath, I felt him rest his hand on my head in a affectionate manner. We stayed like that for a short while before the door opened and Robb poked his head in, "Brother our presence is requested by mother" he glanced at me and raised a single eyebrow "how improper of you both" he let a grin slip onto his face knowing his comment would annoy us both. Jon shot up hastily chasing after our laughing elder brother as he left the room, I shook my head and pulled myself out of the bath and dried myself before dressing. I knew for tonight was a family meal I would be expected to wear a dress I sighed not looking forward to the uncomfortable garment I would soon be wearing.
In my rooms I stripped my clothes off of my body and ran my bare palms over my naked form, I was not particularly desirable due to my activities, I had the curves of a woman and a slightly to large bosom for my taste, my hips were that of a woman but where my stomach should be soft and slightly rounded was hard flat muscle, my arms that were too often on display showed far more muscle than it was proper for a woman to have, even more so than the staff and maids of the castle who worked themselves to the bone for us. I grimaced pushing away the insecurities that stormed my mind. Pulling on an under dress was an odd sensation and I slipped on a pair of light trousers to make me feel less uncomfortable and exposed as I often did when wearing a dress. I opened one of my drawers and pulled out a thick dress with long sleeves in the deep grey of Winterfell and pulled it on, I had a lot of difficulty as usual lacing the dress alone but with perseverance I managed, I often felt the men had a life of ease compared to the women who had to put up with such trivial things for very little effect. Eventually I was dressed and pulled on my thick well worn cow hide boots slipping a dagger inside my left boot, tucked the trousers then attaching my dagger sheath and dagger to my thigh before standing to my full height and inspecting myself in the mirror, I looked ok, but not wanting to deal with the stares from Lady Stark and Sansa Stark, I braided my hair into two plaits and wove them together into what looked like a bun before pinning it in place. Finally happy I was presentable for the oh so noble Starks I headed down to the banquet hall, the walk was as expected uneventful and as I entered I took the seat opposite Greyjoy but much to my relief as usual beside Jon. We were all apparently waiting for Sansa, Brandon and Lady Stark who all came hastily rushing in a few minutes later all looking somewhat annoyed though it was quite plain to see that it was for different reasons. Before we ate we prayed to the old gods, I payed little attention, I truly believed the world to be to cruel for there to be gods watching over us all. When Lord Stark was satisfied we all began our meal, I watched those around me, all the boys as usual were stuffing their faces full of as much food as they could get their hands on, Sansa was scolding Araya for her apparent most unladylike manners, she had tried to scold me once in the same way when we were both a fair bit younger and despite my being her elder she had felt it appropriate and It had ended with her in floods of tears and me receiving a slap from Lady Stark in her anger at me upsetting he daughter. She had begrudgingly apologised later, i'm sure only after she had been convinced to by her husband, not that I cared in the slightest, I was unprepared to apologise for my scathing words to the younger girl who would need to learn to hold her tongue if she was to survive this world. Brandon was helping his younger brother cut his meat and was struggling himself but Tomon seemed to appreciate the gesture greatly and was beaming at his elder brother from his seat. Lord and Lady Stark were watching over their children fondly and talking quietly amongst themselves. Jon was ravenously digging into his food but was the only one of the males seated to not be talking.I pushed my food around my plate with my fork, occasionally taking a mouthful of vegetables, my appetite was lacking tonight and I had no doubt that it was to do with the kings arrival tomorrow and all of those he would be bringing with him. "Something wrong Lilly?" Jon asked his voice no louder than a whisper "not looking forward to tomorrows activities is all" I said very quietly being carful our conversation wasn't being listened to by anyone. He nodded, he wasn't overly impressed by what was coming either, I couldn't blame him Lady Stark would try to push him out of everything and would act as though he did not exist for most likely the entire duration of the visit. "I sense that Winter is coming" i said sarcastically and waggled my eyebrows at him with a smile. He glared humorously at me "Fire and Blood" he whispered back, I bowed my head to conceal my smile. Jon often referred to my house in anyway he could and had stated to me when we were children that I should never be ashamed of having such a strong family or of their fall from power, seeming to want to remind me that I not only had the strength of just being me, but of a Targaryen as well the strength of the kings of old.
After dinner I walked alone to my chambers, Theon was following me, it was a wonder to me that he kept trying my actions had done nothing to encourage him in the slightest. I would give him credit for his light footsteps however they were not in step with my own making it easy to detect his presence, and the brush of fabric against the wall as he tried to keep in the shadows which was pointless anyway as he wasn't in my line of sight but behind me, the man really needed to learn his lesson. I lifted my dress only at the front and unsheathed my dagger in dead silence, not even hearing the blade as it left it's home keeping it concealed in front of me from his view. As I stopped to open my door, I was pushed hard to the side and against the wall, my head connecting against the rough stone sending a light but sharp pain traveling over my scalp. He smirked at me "Finally given up fighting me, ready to admit what you want and that I'm the man that can give it to you?" I looked at him not saying anything for a moment but tilting my head to the side. "there is nothing you can give me Greyjoy that would interest me I am afraid" "I see the looks you give me Targaryen" "i believe you think to highly of yourself Greyjoy, you will learn when or if you grow up that will be your downfall" he looked at me for a moment as if my words had struck something deep within his mind, but as soon as the look had passed in his eyes it was gone "oh i'm grown up enough to show you what pleasure a man can bring" and with that, I kneed him hard in the crotch, and as he knelt down clutching himself i kicked him in the head before, using his weekend form to my advantage slamming him against the wall opposite and slipped my hand into his trousers and held his delicates with one hand while my other he at the sharp of the dagger against him "you try one more time Greyjoy and you will be in this position again and next time it wont be a threat, do we have an understanding?" I asked his sheepish looking face. He nodded as I released him from my iron like grip and he stumbled away glaring back at me as well as fiddling with himself to make himself decent. After I was completely certain that he was gone I entered my room which had taken on the usual chill of the Winterfell castle as the fire was no more than embers now. I pulled myself under the covers not bothering to undress myself from the restricting dress, placing my dagger that I still held in my hand under my pillow before letting my eyes fall closed and I drifted into an uneasy sleep praying that tomorrows happenings wouldn't be as terrible as I was imagining.