Okay so here is Chapter 1, let me just say a few things first: the prologue was just a glimpse of Faolan's past and again I am still reading the books, I am more familiar with the TV series but I will be doing a mixture of both, if I find it works. So, I hope everyone enjoyed the prologue and I hope you guys enjoy this first chapter~ please review~ I'd love to hear feedback.
~Oh just so you know there is a part that is a little flashback of something that Faolan remembers and it is in italics~
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN GAME OF THRONES! I ONLY OWN MY CHARACTER FAOLAN STARK AND A FEW OTHERS I MADE UP HERE AND THERE!
Chapter 1: Winter Is Coming
7 years later...
"Lady Faolan, your mother is going to have my head if she knew I did not help you ready yourself for the day." said the seventeen year old's maid, Ingrid, who had entered her Lady's chambers to find her fully dressed.
Faolan was sitting on her bed pulling on her worn boots; she grinned over at Ingrid, "It's honestly all right, Ingrid. I can take care of myself, Mother knows that, now go see if Sansa or Arya need assistance. I have to met my brothers to teach Bran his first archery lesson."She replied sating up from the bed.
"Lady Sansa and Lady Arya are doing needlework, my Lady."Ingrid informed,
Faolan nodded. How could she have forgotten? Her eleven year old sister, Arya, had always told her how dull it was. She turned towards her maid, she walked over and sat down at the vanity with the large mirror that was in the corner of her room. "But if you must do something, you could help me with my hair."
"Yes my Lady."Ingrid said nodding as she made her way over to Faolan. She picked up a hairbrush and began to brush Faolan's long, thick black curls. "Your hair is so lovely, my Lady."It was soft to the touch like an animal's pelt, her curls were a rich and dark black, a beautiful shade, like the night skies. "How would you like it styled, my Lady?"
"A braid please, I want it out of the way for when I shoot."Faolan replied. Faolan Stark had a much different childhood than her sisters were having, for one she never had to do needlework; her father, Eddard Stark had taught her to shoot arrows, learn the skills of a swordsman, he had made sure she knew how to take care of herself because she...was different—if provoked and angered, she would transform into a direwolf, the very symbol of the Stark family. Arya hated Faolan for it, but Faolan had told her sister, she should not wish to be what she was, people looked at her differently-even though her father was a Lord, even though she was a princess of Winterfell, even though she was a Stark. Her childhood was full of pain and mockery, people had called her many horrible things, and the only friends she knew were her siblings. Most people wanted anything to do with the 'She-Wolf.'
The blond maid did as she was instructed, her fingers quickly weaving Faolan's long black tresses into a proper braid. "Finished my Lady."She replied.
Faolan smiled at their reflections in the large mirror, "Thank you Ingrid."She said standning up from the cushioned bench. Faolan hunched back over to see herself in the looking glass once more, she pulled down a few pieces of her hair so that they framed her rounded face. Her sapphire blue glistened as she adjusted her outting attire which consisted of fur-lined leather jerkin, the leather was a shade of russet while the fur was a brindled hue mixed with white and light browns and the leggings she wore were a tan shade. Faolan made her way towards the large, oaken door,
"My Lady, your cloak."Ingrid reminded her. Faolan turned towards her maid, to see her dark brown cloak in Ingrid's slender hands. The maid drapped it around her Lady's shoulders and fastened it with the copper borch that Ned had given Faolan for her fourteenth nameday, the copper had been forged into the shape of a direwolf; just like their family sigil, just like she was.
"Thank you Ingrid."She smiled before leaving her bed-chambers. Faolan made her way down the long, cold, stone corridors, she passed the servants of her family, who were going about their daily chores; they bowed their heads towards her and she did the same. She made her way down the stone stairs and to the large oaken doors that led outside of the castle. Faolan headed towards the courtyard, knowing she would find her brothers there; she could already get a whif of their woody fragrance which had the aroma of Mother Nature herself. They soon came into view: her half-brother, Jon Snow, stood tall, his head of thick dark curls blowing in the cool breeze, she could hear him instructing their ten year old brother, Bran, about the proper tenchique in which to use his bow. Her twin brother, Robb, stood at Jon's side, he too was giving their younger brother advice; Robb's shaggy brunette hair also danced with the wind. They both glanced up and smiles formed on their faces as they spotted their sister approaching them,
"It's about time you showed up, Faolan." Jon teased.
She grinned, "Sorry I'm so late, I decided to sleep in."
"You are lazy, Faolan."Robb said, " We've been here for a while now, Bran was getting tired of waiting."He said, placing a hand on Brand's slender shoulders.
The ten year old Stark smiled up at his sister, his chocolate colored eyes glistening, "Sorry Faolan, but Mother and Father are watching. I want to make them proud."He replied.
Faolan looked up to see their father, Ned Stark standing tall on the balcony, their mother, Catelyn Stark, was at his side. They both smiled down at her and the rest of their children, waiting to see how Bran would do for his first time shooting. She bent down to him, ruffling up his shaggy, auburn hair as he giggled, "And you will."She said, "So, what have these buffoons been telling you?"
"They said not to think so much and to relax my bow arm."Bran replied.
"Aye, that's good advice."Faolan said nodding towards her brothers, acknowledging their guidance, she remember they had told her the same thing when she was learning how to shot years ago. "How about an example?"
"Sure!"
Jon tossed her his shooting glove, Faolan caught it and she slipped it onto her fingers; Robb picked up an used bow and arrow and handed it to his twin. Faolan readied herself, her sapphire eyes locked on the target; she relaxed herself and released the arrow. The arrow shot through the air and into the target with a thud, hitting a perfect bullseye. She smirked and looked down at Bran, "See? It's easy. Now you try."
"That was a lucky shot, Faolan."Robb teased grinning at her as Jon laughed.
"Luck had nothing to do with it dear brothers, it's all about skill."She smiled punching him playfully in the arm.
Bran did just as his sister had: he readied himself, examined the target and fired but his arms were shaking a bit, Faolan could sense he was nervous. The arrow flew through the air but when Bran had released it, he aimed too high so the arrow flew over the target and landed in the dirt behind it. Jon and Robb laughed.
"Don't listen to them Bran, you can try again."Faolan said nudging both Robb and Jon in the sides hard with her elbows to cease their laughter.
"And which one of you was a marksman at ten years old?"Their father's husky voice boomed from the balcony above. The Stark children gazed up at their father, he smiled down at his young son, "Keep practicing Bran."Ned said.
Bran nodded, he prepared another arrow to shoot, "Remember Bran, relax your bow arm."Robb reminded him. Bran Stark was ready to pull back and release the arrow, when another arrow flew by and hit the target, dead center. The Stark children looked over to see their sister Arya, bow in hand, smirking. She curtsied towards her siblings, still wearing her grin, "Arya!"Bran shouted running off after her, which caused Faolan, Robb, and Jon to burst into laughter watching as their younger siblings chased one another.
A chill ran down Faolan's spine, she ceased her laughing, sensing that something was wrong. Thundering footsteps on the balcony heading towards Ned and Catelyn Stark rumbled in her ears. Her eyes darted up towards her parents, seeing who the loud booted footsteps belonged to, it was Ser Rodrick Cassel, the house's Master at Arms. Even though Faolan was on the ground in the courtyard, she could hear their voices crisp and clear as if they were standing right beside her,
"The guards rode in from the hills. They've captured a deserter from the Night's Watch." Ser Rodick's gravelly voice informed.
The Lord of Winterfell hesistated a moment, sighing wearily, "Get the lads to saddle their horses."Ned replied.
"Do you have to?"Catelyn's soft voice questioned.
Jon grasped a hold of Faolan's right arm, causing her to jerked startled for she was lost in the conversation that was happening above them. "What's wrong?"He inquired his dark eyes searching her saphhire ones. Robb approached them, he looked at his twin seeing the concerned expression on her face and immediately knew something was amiss.
"Faolan, what is it?"Robb asked.
She regained her composure and looked up at her brother and half-brother, "Just...ready your horses. You'll both be heading out with father soon."She said.
"They found a deserter?"Jon asked.
Faolan nodded, she looked over to see Bran and Arya still chasing each other and laughing and then she looked back at her siblings. "Father's taking Bran too, so please, watch over him."She said softly. Ned had taken Faolan once before when he had found a deserter years before, she was eleven at the time, the same age as Arya; she would never forget what she had seen, she remembered it clearly:
Ned standing tall on the hill outside of the walls of Winterfell, his large anicent blade called Ice, firmly in his hands. Robb and Jon standing at her sides like statues, and the deserter of the Watch knelt down on the ground awaiting the blow from her father's sword. Ned raised the sword above his head and then brought it down, slicing the deserter's head clean from his body; it had made a sickening thud which had echoed in her ears, the smell of blood was so strong, Faolan almost vomitted. Her eyes then locked onto the decapiacted head of the deserter, watching as it rolled down the hill, a stream of blood follow...
"Faolan."Robb's voice called, pulling her out of her memories and back into reality. She glanced up at him, shaking her head from the still graphic images of that day from long ago. "Are you all right?"
She smiled at him, "I'm fine."She promised. "Just..take care of Bran."
"We will."Jon and Robb vowed.
...
"A direwolf?" Faolan repeated for about the third time that evening, she wanted to make sure she heard Jon and Robb right. Her brother and half-brother had told her about the events that took place when they ventured with their father to take care of the deserter's sentence. Jon had said Bran had handle the entire thing well, but on their way back home to Winterfell, the party came across a dead direwolf; apparently the wolf had given birth to a litter of five pups before she had passed, Jon spoke of how he convinced their father that it was an omen and that the pups were meant for the Stark children, but as they were walking away, he had spotted the albino runt (that Faolan was now holding in her arms) and he decided to take it for himself.
"He can be yours if you chose Faolan, after all you are a true Stark. I'm not."Jon replied.
Faolan smiled down at the pup which was nibbling playfully at her slender fingers, she looked up at Jon, brushing the direwolf's soft white coat. "Jon, why would I need a direwolf? I am one."She said. "You need this pup and he needs you, you two belong together."She replied placing the pup in his arms.
"I told you she'd say that."Robb smirked as he rubbed his own direwolf pup which he had given the name Grey Wind, it's pelt was a smokey grey shade.
"Have you picked a name for him yet, Jon?"Faolan asked.
"I like Ghost."
"That is a good name for him. Ghost."She said, "What about Bran and Rickon, what are the names they have given their wolves?"She asked. Bran and their six year old brother and youngest of the Stark children, Rickon were out in the courtyard playing with their pups.
"Bran's is named Summer and Rickon's is named Shaggy."Robb informed.
"I see. Well, I am going to go check on Sansa and Arya."Faolan replied leaving her twin and her half-brother to their new pets. She left their chambers and strolled down the corridor, night was closing in and so the halls were a bit chilled due to the night air. Faolan reached Sansa's chambers, knowing that both girls would be their with their new direwolf pups, she opened the door and walked in to see Sansa lounging on her bed with her wolf while Arya was on the floor with hers.
"Faolan!"Arya exclaimed smiling up at her sister, "Look at my direwolf."
"I see."She grinned bending down to her younger sister and the brown and white direwolf pup. Faolan brushed its fur which felt soft just like hers when she transformed, her yellow eyes met Faolan's and the two seemed connected for a moment. "So what's her name?"
"Her name is Nymeria. I named her after the Queen of Rhoynar."Arya informed.
"Very intresting, I like it. It suits her well."Faolan said. She looked over to her thirteen year old sister Sansa, "What about yours Sansa, what is your pups name?"
"Her name is Lady."Sansa replied. Her thick auburn hair was drapped over one shoulder and her blue eyes seemed to sparkle as she patted the direwolf's grey fur, she cuddled the wolf close to her.
"That's a lovely name Sansa."
"But why didn't you get one? Even Jon got one."Sansa replied.
"There were not enough, and I allowed Jon to have-"
"Why would she need one Sansa, Faolan is a direwolf."Arya snapped at Sansa, "I wish I was a direwolf."
Faolan's gazed fastened onto Arya, who pouted as she brushed Nymeria's coat, her dark brown hair which was in two braids was resting over her shoulders, her grey eyes glistened with a mixture of jealously and sadness. "You don't have to do needlework, you get to shot arrows and use swords, you even get to go hunting with father and the boys. It's not fair. I want to be a direwolf too."
"Arya shut-up!"Sansa barked sitting up from the bed. Arya glared over at her, "Do you not realize what Faolan goes through? She-"
"It's all right Sansa."Faolan said. She gently grasped a hold of Arya's shoulders, the young Stark girl looked up at her, "Arya, trust me when I say this, but you do not want to be what I am. The only reason mother allowed me to be raised the way I was, having father and the boys teach me to use a sword properly, to fire an arrow; was because they were both afraid that if anything were to ever happen and I was outcasted, then they wanted to make sure I could take care of myself, to do what I need to survive."She replied sadly, feeling every harsh name, every cruel word, every awful and untrue rumor that was ever throw at her. "There are people in Winterfell and people outside of Winterfell who fear me."
"B-But you are good. You've never done anything wrong."Arya cried.
Faolan smiled softly down at Arya, "I know but that matters not, people have grown afraid of me, have grown to hate me ever since I was little; there are rumors about me and people seem to believe whatever they hear."She said. Arya wrapped her arms around her sister sobbing, Faolan embraced her and stroked her brown hair trying to calm her. "So please Arya, do not wish what I am upon yourself."
Arya rubbed the tears from her eyes, "Okay."She murmured. The door to their room abruptly swung open and their mother, Catelyn Stark, rushed inside. Her long auburn hair spilled down to the small of her back, her blue eyes focused on her daughters, urgency seemed to swirl about in her eyes.
"Mother, what's wrong?"Faolan questioned.
"Girls, your father recieved a raven from Kings Landing today, it informed us that the King and his lot are on their way to Winterfell. They will arrive tomorrow, I want you in bed soon, we have much to do to prepare tomorrow. I have already told the boys, get plenty of rest, my loves."Catelyn said with a smile before turning and leaving them once again.
"Well, you heard mother, we best be off to bed now."Faolan said standing up from the floor.
"I can't believe the King is coming here! Oh I have heard rumors about Prince Joffery, he is supposed to be extremely handsome."Sansa replied in a sing song voice as she grinned madly; Arya rolled her eyes.
"Good night both of you. I will see you in the morning."Faolan said before exiting their chambers and heading back to her own. Once there, she dressed herself for the night and hopped into bed, a chill dancing down her spine which caused the hair on the back of her neck to stand on ends. It told her something was awry on the horizon, she rolled over in, listening to the sounds of the night; she began to think on her mother's words
"The King and his lot.."
Faolan knew that meant the Queen and their children: Joffery, Myrcella, and Tommen; the Kingsguard would be escorting them, so that meant, the Kingslayer, Ser Jaime Lannister, twin brother to Queen Cersei would be coming along. She had heard many wild tales about the Kingslayer, how he was given that title and how he is the best swordsmen in all of Westeros. She assumed since Jaime was coming that also meant, the Imp, Tyrion Lannister, younger brother to Cersei and Jaime and their father Tywin Lannister would be tagging along too. Faolan knew there had to be a reason for all of them traveling to Winterfell, something was going to happen, she wasn't sure what that was yet; her mind slipped back to the dead direwolf, the sigil of the Stark family, and the words Ned had told Catelyn before he journeyed off earlier today, seemed to ring in the back of her mind.
Winter is Coming.
So..that is chapter 1, I am working on chapter 2, so hopefully I will update pretty soon~ also thank you to those who have favorited and are following this story~ That really means alot! Please review!