AC 281

There wasn't a second that went by that her heart wasn't jumping into her chest. Not a second that she didn't nervously pass a look over her armor, as she was walked to her horse. This was something that she had wanted for years, a chance to be just like any of her brothers. Yes, she was mainly doing this to defend the honor of one of her father's bannermen but this was going to be used a proof that she could fight as well as any man.

Better even.

Lyanna Stark was sure of this as she stepped forward and onto her horse. It was easier than it should have been to step onto it. Her armor seemed to be as light as air. Just in case, the Young Stark girl had tested the armor just moments ago. It was thick, study and no matter how hard she pushed a blade into it, it didn't bend… no, it broke the blade.

So the disguised girl rode on to the lists. Ready for what was to come.

It hadn't been as hard as she thought it would. Lyanna was sure that the would be at least hit once, but not once did a lance manage to land a hit on her. Though the deed was done now, those Knights would teach their squires honor if only to keep their reputations clean after having their behavior announced to all the Seven Kingdoms.

Still, the King had not taken any heed of her at all, just like the Scaled Man had promised. So if she felt like it, Lyanna could do another round of the Joust. Though she'd flee before the last, because it would bring dishonor to her House if her deception as discovered, but she wished it there were a way for her to compete in full.

"Hello, there good, ser!" Came the familiar cry of the Scaled Man, who was standing just to the side of her horse. "Mighty fine bit of jousting there," he clapped his hands together, his smile was full of child-like glee. "I say I did place some coin on your victory."

Lyanna found it odd that none were taking heed of this Scaled Man that spackled gold in the sunlight. He was tall enough and odd enough that many should be glancing at him as they passed by but none seemed to notice him. They just walked on by, not even looking at him from the corner of their eyes.

Like he was a ghost.

"It would have been a shame to lose money like that," Lyanna found herself whispering, her voice still heard by the strange man. "I would have placed it on the Crown Prince if I were you." It was true, the Crown Prince was said to be the favorite to win the Tourney. He had the skill, the experience, and the fame that anyone would put money behind.

"Oh, it's not about winning money," he smiled at her, this time his dirty teeth were less disgusting to the young girl. "It's about getting people thinking," The Scaled Man tapped his forehead, "Set a big enough bet on an unknown… it tells people. This man knows something."

"And what good is that?"

"What does he know?" He continued with a wave of his hand like she hadn't just asked him a question. "Is it something about this Knight of the Laughing Tree? Or is there something about Rhaegar that they don't know?" Then it was that he started to tap his right foot while placing a hand on a nearby rail, together it made him seem unsteady. "Then they start to think… what has Rhaegar said or done?

"I see," And she did see. You started with having people question his past, then you can get people looking at what he's doing right now. Then it'll be easier for people to question what he'll do in the future. "I think you're putting too much faith into this one Tourney."

"True," The Scaled Man admitted freely, his smile becoming cruel. "If I was just making one move," he shook his head, his long hair moving with every movement as he raised a single hand with three fingers held up. "One, two, three."

"Three?" Lyanna was interested in that number, wondering just what other plans he had, but this was not to be. For a loud yell could be yard back by the Jousting area;

"I have not seen this… Knight Of The Laughing Tree's face?" Came the voice of King Aerys Targaryen, second of his name. "Bring him to me now, I must see it!" He started to bark and scream at his knights.

Lyanna found herself looking to the Scaled Man, the look of confusion on his face told her that he hadn't expected this. Quickly he held up a hand, a wave of dark purple smoke following along with him. Like before it enveloped her, she could feel herself change just a bit. Her nose became larger, her chin wider, her chest smaller but broader.

"Someone's told the King about you," He giggled, it was a girl-ish sound, though it was still chilling in a manner that the young girl couldn't put a finger on. It sounded angry like someone had acted against him. "How naughty, but worry you not," he told her, his voice back to a manly timbre. "For even if you were to remove your helm, not a soul in The Seven Kingdoms would recognize you."

It was a wispy sound that entered her ear, that told her to move her horse forward towards where the King was yelling. At the edge of the Jousting Area, she dismounted her horse uneasily. Lyanna could feel her heart start to pump faster and faster as she walked into view, her armor clicking as she did so.

"It is I, your grace!" Lyanna yelled her voice back to a false boom as it was before, as it echoed out across the area. She kneeled within the King guards sight, their King following behind them gingerly. He was old looking, much older than his age would actually imply. His beard was matted, his nails were yellow and cracked, and his arms were full of scabs and half-healed cuts.

"Well," His voice came out of his mouth. It was somehow more shrill than the Scaled-Man's, but less jarring on her ears. "Off with your helm! Now!" He screamed, not yelled, for this King would never be able to make such a strong sound with his mouth.

With her heart in her mouth, Lyanna Stark raised the helm off her head. She could feel her hair fall around her collarbone, and what she once had tied away from her eyes drew across it like a curtain.

"Good… good…. " King Aerys started to mumble, that was when Lord Tywin Lannister, the Hand of the King, Lord of The Westerlands walked up behind him. "Oh, Tywin," he spoke up, his voice returning to a more joyous tone. "I don't know this… man. Whose he?"

Lyanna felt her chest tighten. Not a single thought for a name came forth, not a single one. So she squeezed her eyes shut, and faced it towards the ground. Waiting for the Hand of the King to ask the question; "Who are you?"

"That's Howland Reed." But that came instead.

Soon she was dismissed, it wasn't out of place for a man to joust for their own honor.

From there, things went on track. She left from the Joust, came back to her room and threw off her armor, with the help of her little brother, Benjen. It was only when she had taken the chest plate off that she felt herself reform once more in a swirl of purple smoke. Quickly, she got dressed back into her own dress, a blue one suited to the weather of the South.

As she passed, she came upon the confused face of the real Howland Reed.

"Hello, Lady Stark," The man stuttered out, his face asking a question that his mouth never would. How was he on the field, when he knew she had been in the armor?

"Lord Reed, I saw your victories in the joust," The young Stark girl winked at the Crannogman, a finger on her lips, conveying to the other person to not to ask any questions. "Certainly no one will question the Nobility of House Reed. For they now have proof, that you are as Highborn as any. I hope to see you on the morrow repeat this feat."

"Thank you, Lady Lyanna without you I would not have… this moment." The soft joyous smile from the small, almost man was enough for her. It was worth all that panic and the near disaster that had nearly befallen her, this was something she wanted more of. Howland left not long after that, leaving the Young Lyanna alone with her little brother… who asked;

"How did you do all that?" his voice was soft, not yet that of a man. But Lyanna wasn't sure how to answer his question other than with;

"Magic."

Author' Note: I'm not sure if this is the set I want to do here still. I may just keep to the format of three characters per post. Each time dealing with something else from now on. Letting you see the scope of the influence Peader has gained. What do you think?

We'll be seeing a much greater ripple in my next planned one. Dealing with the results of actions. There's been a change here that come from future 'Past' segment. So look forward to seeing that.