Chapter 1: Baby Lannister Moves To Winterfell
We arrived in port at the crack of dawn, a carriage, with the Lannister banner flying, and twelve guards awaited us. The carriage was a dark, but rich, color. I wore a black cloak and black leather boots. I helped the wet nurses off the ship and to the carriage, half of the inside was a bed of sorts for the babies to lay in, each wet nurse put the twins down and sat next to them. I closed the door and climbed up to the roof. I sat in a meditation stance and blocked everything from my mind. Ser Butler sat next to the driver and we set off. I don't really remember how long it took for us to get to Winterfell, I only knew what when we reached the land where the Old Gods I started having visions. I saw betrayal, death, and. . .white walkers. The death of Jon Arryn was only the beginning and the future was far worse than anyone could imagine. Somewhere along the way we caught up with the Royal Caravan, because when I finally snapped back to reality, we were riding beside the Royal Carriage. Many stared at me, even here they had heard the rumors of my recent. . .escapades. My parents worried for my safety, while my cousin, the queen, worried for our reputation. My Uncle Tywin wasn't too worried, I wasn't ruining the Lannister name, I was just not being a proper young lady.
We finally arrived at Winterfell, King Robert had some issues getting off his horse. Our carriage came through the gates right after my cousins. When the carriage started slowing down, I stood up and jumped off. I walked over to my cousins, Jamie was trying not to smile while Cersei looked at me like I was a stain on the Lannister name. I looked around, but couldn't see Tyrion anywhere. My cousins' children looked at me and smiled. Joffrey always gave me the chills, I saw all the horrid the things he was going to do and it frightened me. Not in the I'm scared way, in the I can't believe someone would actually do that way. My arrival obviously was a surprise to the Starks, but then again they only got word that the Royal Court was going to be here a day or two ago. I curtsied to them and kept my mouth shut, which surprised everyone. After everyone had said hello, King Robert and Lord Stark went to the tomb where all the Starks were buried. My guards started getting my luggage and taking it to my room. Ser Butler, who's real name I still don't know for some reason, helped the wet nurses to my room. Everyone that still lingered stared in shock that I brought them with me and ran to tell everyone they knew. Cersei approached me.
"Dear cousin, do you think its wise to bring your bastard children here?" I smirk at her.
"I should be asking you the same, dear cousin," a flash of anger and surprise cross her face. "Don't worry, I have no reason to tell anyone and even if I did, I wouldn't. I don't want this family's name ruined anymore than you do." She nods at me and walks away. It would appear that I will have to watch my back even closer now thanks to that snide remark. She, no doubt, is still trying to figure out who fathered the twins. Even after a year she still hasn't given up. . .most interesting.
I walked to the Godswood and prayed. I needed guidance more than ever now. I could sense everything, the animals in the woods, the streams, the plants, but there was an unbalance. It was restless. I stood and started to walk back, but suddenly I couldn't breathe. I took my handkerchief and coughed, blood quickly stained it. I wiped my lips and continued to walk back. When return, I tried to sneak through but the direwolves had other plans. I noticed their heads perk up when I walked by. I knew that I couldn't sneak through, so I walked closer to them. However, Ser Butler had over plans, he grabbed my arm and dragged me to the training grounds. The direwolves followed and sat near the fence to watch, their owners in tow. Ser Butler unsheathed his sword.
"Come we must show all what improvements you have made." I stare blankly at him then sigh, neither of us move. After about ten minutes the majority of the guards and servants were watching, including all the Starks and the Royal Court. My eyes were dead and I didn't move a muscle. Finally tired of waiting, Ser Butler charged me and still I didn't move. Everyone gasped, worried I was going to get hurt. However, just before his blade hit me, I unsheathed my sword, blocked him, and shoved him back. My sword was long and thin, the hilt was black with a lion on the tip. I parted my cloak and everyone could know see I wasn't wearing a dress, but black light leather armor. My hair is tied in a ponytail and there's no trace of the sweet and innocent Baby Lannister. Yeah everyone thought I was sleeping around here and in the Free Cities. I bet that knocked the socks off some people. Ser Butler charges again, but I step out of the way in time and he hits the fence. I start to twirl my sword and yawn, that pissed off him off and he charges me. I run to him but instead of trying to hit him, I jump on his chest and back flip so I'm behind him. I hit him in the back with my hilt and swing my blade to his neck. He drops his blade in surrender, I sheath my sword and walk out of the training grounds to my room. No one moves or makes a sound.
In my room I prepare for dinner. I brush my midnight black hair and leave it down. I decide to wear a dark blue dress and matching shoes. One of the wet nurses helps me with my corset, while the other tends to the twins. I put my dress on and admire myself in the mirror while the wet nurse ties my dress. It really shows off my frame well. Even without having babies my bust was always big, because of that I've always had many suitors, even with my "bastard" twins but I haven't met the right one, well actually I have but my family probably wouldn't be on board. I put my shoes on and a little kohl on my eyes. I kiss the twins goodnight and head downstairs. Ser Butler walks me to my chair and helps me sit down. I eat my food slowly and look around. King Robert was sitting with the soldiers and guards, flirting with a wench. I saw Jon sitting in the back, drinking a lot. I look over at the. . .non-grown up table and see the Starks and the Baratheons sitting together, eating. Joffrey kept looking at Sansa and smiling. She'd smile back and then her and her friend would turn to each other and giggle. How childish. Arya flings food at Sansa's face and it took every once of discipline in me to not laugh. Arya is sent to her room and Sansa cleans her face. I finish my food and slip out. I see Tyrion walking around with a flagon. He and Jon talk about being bastards and not fitting in, then Tyrion goes into the Dining Hall. I slip upstairs and go to Arya's room. Over the time we became good friends, we were both tomboys and didn't like being forced to be ladies when we obviously didn't have the ability to sew or fawn over boys. I knocked on the door and slipped in.
"Arya? Are you okay?" Arya is sitting on her bed, she nods at me and makes a small smile. "I think what you did was. . .the most awesome thing I've ever seen." I say, smiling. I sit next to her and she informs me of all that's happened since I'd last seen her. It felt like longer than two years, I learned how to be an assassin, was raped and impregnated, and had lived in the Free Cities for six months. I told Arya about my training and how I had many employers in the Free Cities and even a few here that loved my skills. "It's easy to be an assassin when you already know how to blend into the shadows."
"I wish I could learn to use a sword." I smile at her.
"I have a feeling you'll become so good that I should make you my successor as the Assassin Queen," I say winking. Her face lights up.
"You really think so?" I nod and say:
"I know, because I've seen it. However, you will face a great tragedy that will drive you, just like me." Arya nods, though she doesn't know how I came to have the twins, she knows it wasn't easy. "I'll tell you all about my tragedy when you're ready,"
"Will you be going back to King's Landing?" my face turns grim.
"I'm afraid not, I must speak with your parents about staying here. It's the will of the Old Gods, but we'll meet again soon. Just remember that sometimes the faceless can be a greater ally than recognized ones." Arya looked at me with confusion but nodded nonetheless. "I should go to bed, I have an early morning." I hug her and tuck her in. I walk back to my room, on the way there I hear voices from Lord and Lady Starks' room. It would appear that Lady Lisa's letter was received.
The next day, I send Ser Butler to inform Lord and Lady Stark that I request an audience with them at the Godswood, while I walk there. Lord and Lady Stark arrive shortly after.
"Forgive me for asking you to meet me here, but I needed to speak to you away from. . .prying eyes and ears." They merely nod and Lord Stark motions for us to sit. "I have been consulting with the Old Gods since the day I was brought here. I was blessed to become a Seeress that day. However, I'm very sick and I was hoping I might stay here, in Winterfell. If I return to the South I will be dead before years end." They look and each other. They both looked skeptical, however it's as if the Old Gods were talking to them, because I saw understanding fill Lord Starks eyes. He stands and says:
"You may stay here, but one wrong move and you will moved back to Casterly Rock." I nod, but start coughing. I shield my mouth, but the blood started pooling onto the ground. When I finished coughing, I let the blood fall and cleaned my hand with my handkerchief.
"No one much know I'm sick, not the Royal family, my family, no one." I say, them nod. I sat in front of the Godswood and close my eyes. Lord and Lady Stark return to the Keep just as Bran falls.
I walk into the Dining Hall as Tyrion is giving the good news about Bran to my cousins. I grab a piece of toast and walk back out and Cersei comments about living and paralyzed isn't a way Bran would want to live. I had been purposely avoiding Jon, Robb, and Theon the past day or so, not sure how long I've been here. They figured it out and were trying to corner me to figure out why. I slipped up to Bran's room, peaked through the door and watched him, he looked so peaceful. Jon came up to say goodbye to Bran. My eyes started to water and I hugged him. He hugged me back and entered Bran's room. I slipped away and went into my room, they were moving my things to a bigger room since I'm staying. I saw King Robert in the room, looking at the sleeping twins.
"I see you and your children are doing well," he says to me, not turning around. I stand next to him and look at the babies.
"Yes we are, I only wish I could find a suitor that would let my Xander be his heir," I saying picking up my eldest. King Robert looked at him with pity. My children would always be bastards no matter how great they became, and we both knew that. The only thing they could do is take the Black, but I didn't want them to do it unless that's what they absolutely wanted. King Robert picked up the other twin, Alec, and cradled him. We both put them back in the crib they shared and walked downstairs.
"If there's ah. . .anything you, or the twins need ah. . ." I smiled.
"Thank you Your Majesty, I just might take you up on that," I curtsey as he walks off. I walk over to Jon and give him one last hug. I give Arya one too and walk over to Theon. Robb joins us and we watch as they all ride away. Theon and Robb began to question me about my recent dodgy behavior.
"Oh no reason, just had some things to do, that's all," I say, smiling. "Have you met the twins yet?" They both shook their heads, "Come along then," I say walking into the Keep and up the stairs. I was given the room that the King and Queen had stayed in. The twins crib had been moved into the room. I pointed my hand at the crib and they walked over to it. I walked over to the window and saw people running about and doing their jobs, wishing they had a noble's life.
"Do they look like their father?" Theon asks me. I walk over to them.
"No not really, but perhaps when they grow up they might." I knew having twin bastards didn't sit well with many of the nobles but for some reason Theon and Robb practically hated it. I'll never understand these guys. . . Xander awoke and tried to sit up, but he couldn't. He stopped trying when he saw Theon and Robb, he smiled at them and giggled. I picked him up so he could see them better.
"Hey little guy these are your uncles Robb and Theon, say hi, say hi Uncle Robb and Uncle Theon, yeah, yeah," I say, waving his hand. He laughs and jumps up and down in my arms. He reaches for Theon. "Do you wanna hold him Theon?" I ask, taking a step toward him. He was about to say no when Xander grabbed his arm and pulled himself onto it. Theon grabbed him so he wouldn't fall. Xander looked at him with wide eyes and touched his face, he started to laugh and hugged him. Alec woke up from all the laughing. He started to jump, even though he was lying on his back, I walked over to him and picked him up. He smiled at me and then put his fist in his mouth. I bounced him until he saw Robb, he took his saliva covered hand out of his mouth and reached for Robb, who reluctantly took him. He laughed and jumped up and down. Both the twins laid their heads on their uncles shoulders and slowly began to fall asleep. I took Xander from Theon and put him in the crib first then Alec, they unconsciously grabbed each others hand and sucked their thumbs. I kissed them both on the head and shooed Robb and Theon out into the hallway and closed the door behind me.
"Sooo what did you guys think?" they looked at each other.
"They're, um, great," Theon said, scratching the back of his head.
"Are you all sure, you're okay? Because I got the impression you didn't like them from the lack of letters since you all found out I was pregnant. . ." They both look down in shame. "While you all try to figure out a way to answer that question, I'm going to go down to the training grounds and watch the guards practice." I walk past them and down the stairs, leaving them beating themselves up. I'm pretty sure I know why their upset, I mean I had twins and I wasn't married, but it's more than that. I know their feelings for me have grown and me having twins was probably a crushing blow to them both. However, I have to act like I don't have a clue, because besides the obvious way they act, I should say acted, around me, I only know they like me because I had a vision about them confessing their feelings. Why the Old Gods would let me see that I don't know, personally I think that's an abuse of the power. But who am I to argue with the Old Gods? I'm only a seeress. . .and an assassin. . .and a seductress. . .my point is I have no right to question what they want me to see. . .Why do I try to prove points to myself? Perhaps being a seeress makes one insane. . .or killing lots of people. . .or sleeping with lots of people to get information so you don't have to kill people. . .And I'm rambling. . .The point is, who ever hears me, is that for some reason me knowing that Robb and Theon have fallen for me is somehow related to later events. Wow women really are stupid. No matter, I will not be welcome here much longer. I will have to tell him how I really feel, tonight. . .I wish I could tell him about the twins father but it's too dangerous, too many loose lips and too many open ears. . .