Blood of the Wolf
She, sees many things, and knows many secrets, she plays to win the Game of Thrones, death is not an option. Aelgra Snow, twin to Jon Snow will stop at nothing to see herself and her brother restored to their birthright, no matter who gets in her way. OC story. Will go with the basic plot of the show then start to branch from there.
Chapter one, Daughter of Winter:
The sun began to crest over the tall red towers of the Red Keep, Aelgra watched the ships sail on the glimmering blue water in the Harbor from her chamber window. Eight years had changed the girl into a young woman. She had already bound her long black-brown hair into a braid, which she pinned in a loop so that nothing hung loose. Her dress was simple, so not to distract from the Queen the soft semi sheer fabric was ombre in colours of turquoise and purple, and was sleeveless.
As bells began to mournfully peal out from the Sept of Baelor, Aelgra pulled herself away from the window and went about her duties for the day. She was now the Queen's lead handmaid, and longest serving. Her first task of the day was to wake the other girls all of whom held the names of noble houses. Most of them would not last until the end of the summer in Cersei's service, they would either end up bedded by the King, grow to be more beautiful than Cersei herself or their families would lose favour at court.
She entered a long chamber beside her own, and lifted a large, and loud bronze bell its irritating clanging sound rousing the irritable highborn girls immediately.
"Get up!" She called to them. "Get dressed!" One of the newer handmaids, Alys Swyft was taking her time, as slowly as possible the plump girl of sixteen years pushed herself from the bed.
"Why should I listen to you Snow?" Aelgra wasn't bothered too much by the girl's petulance, but to teach her a lesson she lifted a water jug on a nearby table and threw the contents over the girl.
"Get dressed and clear out her grace's chamber pot." Aelgra commanded.
"I'll tell the Queen what you just did! My father will have you whipped!" The girl threatened.
"Go tell the Queen she likes a good laugh in the mornings." With that the girl stormed out.
Aelgra gave out various jobs to the other handmaids, it was a busy day and all of them had much work to do. Aelgra set the Blount girl the task of packing all of the Queens jewels, warning her that both she and the Queen knew exactly what should be there. She made the spotty faced granddaughter of Lord Frey to pack and fold the queen's gowns, and to carry them to the carriage once she was done.
As the girls went about their duties Aelgra took a moment to breathe and compose herself, it all happened so fast, Jon Arryn's death and now her father was to be named hand of the King or at least that's what Aelgra suspected why else would the entire court be heading north, to Winterfell, to her home.
Aelgra climbed the small staircase that led to Queen's chamber and entered through the servant's door, holding the Queen's clothes for the day ahead. When she did she found the queen already in a foul mood and wide awake.
"that little idiot Swyft girl came in unannounced" Aelgra knew from experience the Queen was fond of night time guests who weren't the King, the Queen told her as she got out of bed. "Keep her out of my sight."
"I'll see that she's disciplined your Grace." She assured the Queen as Cersei removed her nightdress, standing naked in the chamber. When she was younger Aelgra would have been mortified at the sight, but was used to seeing the Queen in a state of undress now.
"Are you happy to be returning to Winterfell?" Asked the Queen as Aelgra laced her corset.
"Yes your Grace, I haven't been back in the eight years I've been in your service." She huffed out the last part as the corset became tighter and more difficult to secure.
"I am aware of how long you have been in my service, eight long years you've blossomed in my service."
"Thank you your Grace." Aelgra tied the ribbons of the corset and went to fetch the Queen's dress. Today it was red with accents of yellow, it was important to the Queen to seem fully united with the King when they were on the road.
"I am of course thankful of your loyalty Aelgra." She held out the dress like a robe for the queen to slip into. "I reward those who are loyal."
"Your Grace?"
"Hush now." Said the Queen as she tied the ribbons on her dress. "Go help the other girls." Aelgra bowed and left the room, leaving to do as the Queen Bid her.
As she commanded the other Handmaids to lift this and carry that or put it down there. Aelgra wondered what the Queen meant by a reward for her loyalty. Perhaps she would find a way for Jon to join her here in King's Landing Aelgra hoped not strangely enough, she knew Jon would hate King's Landing. Maybe the Queen was in actual fact sick of her, and planning to leave her behind in Winterfell.
She doubted that, the Queen trusted her too much, or as much as she trusted anyone without the name Lannister. Aelgra would find out soon enough what Cersei planned to do.
It was an early start to the morning, Aelgra could feel how close they were to Winterfell now and was starting to become light headed, and somewhat nervous that they wouldn't recognise her or that Lady Stark would immediately command that she shovel shit for her. She ensured quickly that all of the Queen's things were secured before they moved along the road again.
They had been blessed by a relatively clear day by northern standards, that however did not stop the Queen from being in a foul mood, her brother, Tyrion had been missing since the previous night and now no one could find him.
"I assume that little imp has found his way to a brothel." Grumbled the Queen, it had become clear from her interactions with her brothers over the years that she hated one and loved the other. Aelgra often wondered what Tyrion had done to become so hated, he was polite and witty, her assumption was that his height made him different and Aelgra knew from experience the Queen hated different.
As the royal party approached Winterfell, Aelgra could hardly believe how much her home had changed since she had last it had seemed so large and imposing all those years ago, she inhaled sharply at the sight of her home. She closed the window and tried to compose herself before they stopped inside the courtyard of Winterfell.
She hurried the three other Handmaidens out of the carriage before exiting herself. She stood in line with them, instead of paying close attention to the Queen like she was supposed to, Aelgra scanned the crowd for Jon, she spotted her father, then her brother Robb and the rest of her half siblings, then she saw him; stood next to Theon Greyjoy was her brother, her Twin Jon.
As far as Aelgra could tell he had not spotted her, she lost sight of him as the King moved himself along the line of the Stark children, without thinking Aelgra craned her neck to try and get another look at him. The Queen glanced at her momentarily and smiled in amusement before approaching her father.
"My Queen." Spoke Eddard as he knelt and kissed the Queen's outstretched hands.
"My Queen." Lady Stark bowed and copied her husband.
"Take me to your crypt, I want to pay my respects." Ordered the King from where he stood near Bran. Aelgra could tell from her mistress' stance this did not impress her.
"We've been riding for a month my love, surly the dead can wait." King Robert ignored the Queen, instead looking toward her father.
"Ned." He nodded, leading on towards the crypt. Her father followed, leaving everyone to stand awkwardly for a bit. Until Arya rudely asked where Tyrion was.
It was apparent they were allowed to move again, so Aelgra kept her eyes on Jon while he seemed to be oblivious to her presence in the courtyard as she made her way towards him she could feel herself getting giddy with anticipation.
"Jon?" She called to him. Furrowing his brows he turned around to look for who called to him, Jon's eyes widened in surprise when he saw her.
"Aelgra!" He rushed forward and pulled his sister into a long hug. "I didn't know if you were coming home, you didn't send a letter." There was disappointment in his voice.
"Sorry Jon, the Queen keeps me very busy."
"Does she treat you kindly?"
"She treats me better that the others." She sighed a little, taking in her Twin's appearance, marvelling at the changes he had gone thorough in the eight years since they last saw one another. He was tall and muscular, his hair was unruly and curly, falling just below his ears it framed his jawline. His eyes were large but they looked sad and soulful.
"You look different." Jon commented as he looked her over. He opened his mouth and was about to say something before being interrupted by Theon Greyjoy.
"Hurry up Jon, Lord Stark wants us to secure the King's horses."
"Us or you?" Her brother asked, knowing the response was likely Theon was to do it himself.
"Just come along." Theon looked as though he would throw a tantrum if he did not.
"Go with him" Aelgra sighed. "We can talk during the feast, you're not allowed to attend either right?"
"I am not." He smiled bitterly. "I will see you then."
He hugged her once more before leaving to follow Theon.
Aelgra had some time to kill before she needed to assist the Queen with getting ready for the feast, so she had asked the castle Chamberlin, Vaeyon Poole where the kitchen girl Ros was. As it turned out Ros no longer worked at the castle but he had told Aelgra where she could be found. He told her she was working at the inn with the pink door.
She found her way to the inn Ros was working at quickly, she knew where it was roughly from memory, anyone else would be lost in the unfamiliar streets of Winter Town.
While outside she could her raucousness and bawdy laughter from within, seemingly it was one of the most popular establishments in town, the Chamberlin seemed fond of it at the very least. She pushed the pink door opened and was met with the stench of ale, many men and women having a wonderful time, she was surprised to see the light clothing the women wore despite the cold temperatures.
"We're not hiring." Muttered a large busted woman who wore a corset over her dress to accentuate her breasts.
"That's alright I'm actually looking for someone." The woman's face scrunched up in confusion as she looked Aelgra up and down.
"A male someone?" She curiously asked her.
"No I'm looking for Ros?"
"She's busy." You can have her when she's finished.
"I'll only be a moment I have to get back to the castle and attend to the Queen-" The woman's eyebrows rose in surprise.
"The Queen?" The woman bowed slightly. "I'm sorry m'lady, they're in room three."
Aelgra thanked the woman before heading towards the room marked with a number three, this inn was a curious little place all the staff acted very strangely for one thing, and another Aelgra couldn't even see the bar, she found the whole thing very curious. She pushed open the door, and was immediately met with the sight of Tyrion Lannister's cock, and an unclothed red haired woman she recognised as Ros.
"Oh." She called out averting her eyes. "Sorry I was just-"
"I must say I'm more than a little suprised to see you here, didn't think this sort of establishment was to your tastes" Quipped Tyrion as he reached for his mug of ale. "So tell me what does my sister want now?"
"N-nothing lord Tyrion I was actually looking for Ros." She kept her eyes firmly looking up at the ceiling.
"Can I help you my lady." Ros asked her, sounding very confused.
"She's not a lady, she's a bastard of Winterfell." Tyrion informed Ros.
"By the seven! Aelgra you're back!" Ros seemed happy to see her but torn between getting up.
That's when the door opened once again, with Jamie Lannister striding through as his cloak billowed behind him. Tyrion clenched his teeth and sat up in the bed.
"Does no one know the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse?" The Kingslayer looked at Aelgra questioningly, before looking at his brother.
"You'll have to teach me no doubt, why is she here?" He asked jerking his head softly at Aelgra.
"They're old friends." Tyrion responded, as Aelgra's face got redder.
"I'll just go-"
"Wait outside." The Kingslayer pointed a finger at her, and indicated the door.
"Meet me at the west gate tomorrow!" Called Ros as she left the room. She stood beside the door where some prostitutes studied her, and whispered among themselves about her presence. Jamie opened the door once again.
"Since we're short on time." He looked to the nearby prostitutes. "Come on girls." He beckoned all three of the giggling girls into the room slapping one of them on her buttock as she passed him. He turned to leave before calling back to Tyrion. "See you at sun down." He grabbed Aelgra's arm and dragged her out of the whorehouse. Once they were outside the establishment he rounded on her seeming more amused than angry.
"I don't know what you were doing in a whorehouse with my brother girl and I don't care. Just take my advice never let Cersei know where you went if you want to keep your position, it's a shame really I thought you were one of the smarter ones."
"I-" He held his hand up to stop her talking.
"Don't worry I won't say anything."
"Thank you Ser Jamie."
"Don't mention it." He responded sarcastically before they returned to the castle together.
She finished putting away the Queen's powders and rogues as quickly as she possibly could, before tidying herself up a little bit and heading out of the guest house. As she headed toward the training yard she considered how strange it was to be in the guest house, a small part of her had assumed she'd be sleeping in the same small room she and Jon had shared when they were young.
She got closer to the courtyard, and heard voices. on instinct she hung back slightly to listen in to what they were saying.
"Let me give you some advise bastard" It was Tyrion, the last person she wanted to see. "Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not, wear it like armour, then it can never be used to hurt you."
From where she stood concealed Aelgra, saw that Tyrion was now moving away from her brother and toward her.
"What the hell do you know about being a bastard?" Jon asked him, sounding irked.
"All dwarves are bastards in their father's eyes." He spoke softly before taking a swig of his wine bladder. He passed Aelgra but payed little attention to her. "He's all yours." Aelgra watched the nasty little man leave from over her shoulder.
Jon started to swing his sword wildly at the practice dummy, hacking it pieces as he did so.
"Jon!" She called out to him, she hadn't expected him to be so good with his swordcraft. He turned around to look at her as he caught his breath.
"Aelgra sorry about that."
"It's fine brother." She approached him and took the sword out of hand. "Lets take a walk?" He nods at her bowing his head.
"Follow me, there's something I want to show you." She followed him curiously to stables, stopping at the last stall. He grinned at her and held his arm forward indicating she should enter.
"What's in there?"
"Take a look." Aelgra peered into the stall and was met with two sets of glowing eyes.
"What are they?" She asked looking round at Jon.
"Direwolves."
"This far south?" She asked him disbelievingly. "What are they doing in the Castle? Father knows about them right?"
"He knows, he was there when we found them trying to suckle on their dead mother in the forest."
"Just two?"
"No, one for each of us these two are the runts of the litter." A small white pup approached Aelgra and growled at her. "No Ghost!" The pup whined at being scolded. "Aelgra is my twin, play nice."
"AH!" Aelgra felt something hit against her legs, looking down she saw another small Direwolf pup at her feet. "Who's wolf is this then?"
"Yours."
"Mine I thought you said there were only six?" He laughed.
"Aelgra, you're still one of us." He lifted the small pitch black pup into his arms. "So she's yours if you want her." As Jon held the wolf in his arms Aelgra stroked the beast's soft dark hair.
"Your dog is called Ghost." She asked.
"He's not a dog, and yes he is called Ghost." The pup in Jon's arms started to writhe and struggle to get free. "Here you take her." Before she could stop him, Jon had forced the restless pup into her arms, she stilled immediately in Aelgra's arms, looking up at her new mistress.
"She needs a name then I guess."
"She does." Confirmed Jon as she looked into the wolf's eyes.
"Nightingale."
The next morning, Aelgra headed to the feast hall where the others were breaking their fast together, northerners and southerners rubbing shoulders, some bleary eyed from last night's feast and the drinks in copious volumes that were consumed. She looked about the packed hall for a place to sit, there was space with the other handmaidens, but Aelgra would rather avoid them if possible. Instead, she found a seat next to Robb, across from Bran.
"Good morning." Started Bran as she sat down. "I hope you are finding Winterfell welcoming lady?" Asked the boy seemingly expecting an answer. She and Robb shared a look of confusion, before Aelgra realised that after eight years away from Winterfell, Bran did not recognise her. They both loudly laughed, gaining some complaints from those in the hall with tender heads.
"Bran!" Said Robb as his laughter died away. "Do you not recognise your own sister? For goodness sake Bran, she looks like Jon in a dress!" At that Aelgra shoved Robb lightly.
"I do not!"
"Well then Jon must be a girl in a man's clothes." They both snorted with laughter once again, this time trying to keep their voices down. It was amazing how they fell into their old ways immediately. She and Robb had always liked to make playful quips at one another in their youth, she was glad that had not changed.
"You're Aelgra?"
"Last I checked I was." She smiled at him. The three of them rebuilt a rapport quickly, laughing and telling tales of the things they would get up to as children together in the Castle.
"We nearly reached to top before Septa Mordane caught us!" Robb told a eagerly listening Bran.
"She got so angry she tried to climb that broken tower after us." Aelgra added. "She kept tripping and slipping on her skirts."
"Eventually we came down, I got in so much trouble from mother, and Aelgra here was made to clean all of the castle chamber pots!"
"Yes thank you Robb, but I was hoping to leave that part out."
"Tell me another story!"
She was about to tell Bran of the time they had gotten lost in the woods with Jon and Ros overnight, when their father approached them in his riding gear.
"Aelgra, I would speak with you a moment."
"Of course father." She stood from the seat she had occupied. "Robb, Bran I hope we talk again soon." She followed Eddard into the small alcove off the main hall.
"The King has asked me if I want to be his hand."
"That's wonderful news father-." She began to congratulate him. "I had assumed that was the reason for the royal visit."
"King Robert has also given me the option to have you legitimised, Catelyn is not pleased about it, but she has consented for it to go ahead." Aelgra was barely listening to her father anymore, she and Jon had both spent many nights talking about what they'd do with a name like Stark. "Just to be clear, only you have been extended this offer not-"
"Jon." She finished his sentence for him, a pit of guilt opening up in her stomach. She wanted this more than life itself she could feel herself already yearning for that scroll that would declare to all of Westeros, that by all the laws of The Seven Kingdoms she was Aelgra of house Stark.
"You can have some time to think on this."
"I don't need time father, I want this." She sighed, fearful that she may lose this opportunity all to quickly. "I need his blessing first though."
Later that day, the King's hunting party left with Jon in tow, so she would have to wait until evening came to discuss all the things they needed to discuss with one another then. Aelgra would instead spend the day with Ros.
"The madame had a fit after Tyrion." She informed her merrily as the wondered the well worn path that circled the western most side of Winterfell, followed by Nightingale. "She was ranting and raving about making you pay for wasting my time."
"Your time now is free right?" She asked her old friend jokingly. "Or will I have to leave a tip?"
"Of course not."
"You should come with me to King's Landing."
"Why?" Asked Ros, sounding amused.
"Because it's full of excellent tippers." At that Ros laughed.
The two linked arms and walked in a comfortable silence until Nightingale began to whine behind them.
"Nightingale?"
"What's wrong with your dog?"
"She's not a dog." Aelgra corrected Ros as the young Direwolf ran ahead of them at an alarmingly fast pace. "We should follow her." Aelgra hitched the skirts of her dress up so that it would be easier to run in the confining southern gown.
Nightingale got ahead of the two women quickly, but was never out of eyesight. As they approached the broken tower, Aelgra's vision blurred slightly getting the faint impression of carnality between two forbidden lovers, and golden hair, she could see it rippling before her when in reality all she saw was the great stone edifice of the tower.
They rounded the base, where Nightingale sat with Summer, Bran's wolf. She looked around for any sign of him her vision cleared again. Limbs askew, and with blood lightly covering the ground she saw him, Bran had fallen from the tower.
Nothing would be the same ever again.
Author's Note:
I'm surprised this got so much interest so quickly! Thanks everyone who's read, left a review or followed or faveroted the story. It means a lot and makes me happy that you guys are actually interested in the story i'm gonna write.
Please give me any opinions you may have on this chapter, and again if you see anything that looks like a plan or prompt that's been left in please tell me I'm tired and probably missed something.
Thanks :)