A/N. Due to the nature of events, ages have been altered comparatively to the books, as per the tv show. Jon Snow's starting age in the show is 16, but I even decided to go ahead and make it 17. So rather than it being like how " In HBO's adaptation, it is stated in season one that 17 years have passed since Robert Baratheon's rebellion – around the time Daenerys was born", the age will have been upped by one year for JON, ROBB, DANY, THEON, SANSA, and JOFFERY but DECREASED two years for some of the older characters JAIME, CERSIE, Tyrion. I feel that this angsty teenage group could use another year of age- for later purposes- and I hope that this initial fluctuation will keep me from having continuity errors later on. Additionally, if you watch the show it is easy to visually age characters more than just the roughly SIX YEARS that the events have taken place during, for example Rickon looks MUCH older than 11 in season five when he dies. These types of imagery dissonance shall -hopefully- be negated in this story by means of time lapse (making more time occur between events) or by descriptive elements to help you remember that they ARE younger than what the TV show depicts them as. With that being said, I am following elements of both the book and TV show, with a stronger emphasis on the TV show for storyline and Book for the fictionalization of the world. So, if you just watch the show, you will be fine and probably just think that I'm "creative" with GOT house names and elements, but many of them are small houses mentioned in the books that I strongly encourage reading, in addition to fanfics, obviously. Sorry for the long A/N but it was necessary information for initial context because I WILL NOT be explaining it in every chapter. So, due to the intricate nature of ages and characters this is a short list of character ages at the start of the shows PILOT (not the first chapter of my story, though they will be similar).

Age at Episode 1.

Jon Snow – 17

Robb Stark – 17

Daenerys Targaryen - 18

Evex – 17

Adira – 18

Artorious Stone – 17

Luka – 19

Lessa - 19

Sansa Stark – 14

Arya Stark – 11

Bran Stark – 10

Rickon Stark – 6

Theon Greyjoy – 19

Jaime/ Cersie Lannister – 34

Tyrion Lannister -30


Chapter One. (Prior to the HBO Pilot)

Winter Town

17 Years After the Robert's Rebellion

The bustling streets of Winterfell were filled with life as the townsfolk crowded the small market. Shouts from mothers at their children, old men haggling over the price of bread, and whores calling out from the brothel doors at anyone who would walk by filled the air. The amount of activity in Winter Town was odd, for the summer season. Typically, the town's log and stone homes were empty during the warm season. The summer had been long, and still Winter Town only had about one log and stone house occupied for every five that lined the muddy roads, yet the market was bustling with activity. Slowly, the cold had been creeping in on the North, and the Stark words were being uttered from farmer to peasant as smallfolk began to move back into the little rows of houses. Today, Adira was starting to notice the migration into Winter Town as she traversed the small wooden merchant stalls for goods.

Blue eyes roamed over the various wooden stands, body weaving in-between smallfolk as they pushed their way through the mud. Her brown dress picking up dirt, as she shouldered through the crowd to get to the man with deep brown eyes that rested at the edge of the horde. A bright smile lit up Adira's delicate face as she approached the brooding man with his head facing the ground that was trying to avoid social interaction.

"My, my, Luka. One would think, you did not like people."

A wicked grin overtook her face as Luka whipped his head up to face the person that had spoke to him with wide and frightened eyes. As soon and brown met hazel, his fright became replaced by a look of annoyance.

"Adira, I was to escort you back to the house when the sun was at its peak. It has long since begun it's descent, and the whores have been calling for hours, yet you still hide among the smallfolk."

Adira rolled her eyes and lifted the small basket that she held in response. She knew that Luka meant well, but the brooding gentleman would always complain whenever they went to town.

"The whores call for a pretty face like yours no matter the hour, calm yourself. I am done now, and we can return to the boring façade that we live."

Luka cast her a look that she easily interpreted to mean that she ought be careful what she say. Acknowledging the reprimand, but not giving it any weight, Adira made her way out of the busy marketplace and began to weave in and out of the small houses that lined the main street of Winter Town.

"Do you think their royal highnesses ever get off their asses and come to the market?" Luka flippantly remarked as the duo continued towards their home. Adira cast Luka a glance that read similar to the one he had previously given her, but instead of feeling abashed he shot her a cheeky wink while a smirk played on his lips.

"You hardly get off your ass to come to the market, so why would they?"

Her playful remark was met with an indignant scoff while he gently pushed her into the stone wall of a nearby house.

"You two are not subtle."

Startled, both Adira and Luka turned at the sudden appearance of a third figure. Walking seamlessly in stride with the duo, the new arrival blended into the winter surroundings like a shadow. Gray cape pulled tightly against her body, with a hood up and keeping her face hidden from any who wished to see, the new arrival could appear and disappear with ease.

Adira rolled her eyes at their newest addition and pulled the hood of the cloak down to reveal a pale face with raven black hair and piercing blue eyes that were fixed with a glare.

"I swear, Evex, you're more like a spirit than a girl."

Adira's words caused yet another icy glare to be thrown her way, as Evex pulled the hood of her cloak back up so that her face was cast in shadows.

"We're supposed to be inconspicuous, you two would do well to abide by our rules."

Luka and Adira both threw each other incredulous looks before returning to ignoring Evex as she glided behind them in the shadows and continuing their conversation.

"The only time I've ever seen any of them leave the keep was when the young lords and the ward visited the whore house." Adira stated with a wicked smirk at Evex and Luka, before continuing. "It must be nice to be a royal fuck, right Evex?"

Evex, ever the sullen one, simply looked at Adira with her icy eyes before returning to having her gaze flit around for potential threats.

"Come on, Adira. You know that Evex is sensitive about that kind of stuff." Evex cast a grateful look at Luka for the briefest of moments. "I mean, she can't be a royal fuck if she is a royal prude." The grateful smile quickly dropped as she hastened her pace down the ally.

"I may be a prude, but I'm not a royal."

Evex annunciated her statement by quickly entering the little stone and wood building that they called home, refusing to give either Luka or Adira a chance to further their ministrations.

Adira and Luka followed Evex's lead and entered their home. The building was small, made for only a handful of people, and not intended to be used as the current residents utilized it. The building, while small on its own, was particularly crammed due to the amount of wood and craftsman tools that littered the building. Instead of having a cot in the center room, there was a large pile of wooden planks that needed to be carved, and the kitchen table was completely occupied by half-finished pieces. The home was littered with wood shavings that left the air feeling like one was breathing in Dornish sand, yet smelling like the Iron Wood forests. Scattered about were crafting tools, small tables and chairs, wood blocks, and clothes that showed to guest more signs of craftsmanship than residence. The only indication that people actually lived in the building was the slight foot end of a straw cot that could be seen near the edge of the loft that was above the kitchen area.

Adira spotted a sock clad foot dangling just over the edge of the loft and was quick to pick up a small block of wood and toss it up at said appendage. She was affirmed that the wood made contact with the body when the sound of a yelp and satisfying thunk resounded through the small space. She couldn't help but glance at Luka with a devious smile, that he returned, before they both began to toss small cubes of wood up into the loft. The little pieces came down like rain on the napping young man whose disheveled black hair replaced his foot in hanging over the loft.

"I get it, I'm up!"

Artorius quickly scampered down from the loft bed, where Adira and Luka were continuing to throw small pieces of wood, in such haste that he fell from the loft and straight onto his bottom in the kitchenette. Plopping down right next to Evex's unenthusiastic figure, she simply looked from the young man to the laughing duo with great distaste before offering her hand to help Artorius get up.

Taking the offered hand, the young man stood to his full height, easily towering over Evex, as they both wore matching scowls on their face directed at the two giggling figures. "You lot are a right bunch of children! Adira, you should know better!" Artorious' exclamation was met with a deep chuckle from Luka and an eye roll from Adira as she gently tossed the block of wood that was still in her hand to hit Artorius in the chest. He failed at swatting away the block, after it had already hit his chest, as his scowl deepened.

Adira noticed the look of disappointment and rage that filled the blue eyes of both of the black-haired relatives that stood in the kitchen. She could not help but notice the similarities between the cousins, both physical and personality wise. Both Evex and Artorius had the deep black hair that seemed to dominate most of their family, due to their distant- and near- Baratheon ancestry. Their eyes were both vivid shades of blue, and while Evex's held more of an icy bite, Artorius' shade resembled more of the turbulent waters of the sea. Both were pale, which was not uncommon for being in the North, but the fact that neither of them were native northerners made the characteristic uncommon. They both stood taller than the average person, Evex being slightly taller than most females but not exceptionally so, and Artorius being a good head taller than many common men. It was clear to anyone that looked upon them, from their similar features to the way that they mirror the sullen attitudes, that the two were related. It would not be hard to mistake them for brother and sister, instead of cousins. Adira had to admit that, if both were cleaned up, they would be attractive enough to garner attention worthy of all of the nobles in the area, for only Lady Sansa's face matched the effortless beauty that they all obtained when compared to the long faces of the people of the North.

Deciding that she was quite finished with entertaining herself at the expense of her cousins, Adira turned and picked up an unfinished piece from the table, grabbed a knife, and began her. Satisfied with the change in demeanor, both Evex and Artorius moved from their respected spots to begin work for the day, while Luka simply leaned against the nearest wall in boredom.

The three cousins worked in quiet while Luka kept his eyes alert for any sudden threats – though the idea of a threat on this day seemed ridiculous- for a long time before a knock at the door broke all of the woodsmen from their craft. Evex and Artorius glanced at Adira before quickly scurrying up the beams to the loft and pushed themselves as far against the back wall as possible, so as not to be seen.

While Evex and Artorius hid, Adira slowly made her way from the table to the front door. The knocking continued as Adira approached, and she could faintly hear the sound of Luka's sword scrape against the scabbard as he slowly pulled it out just an inch, preparing himself for whomever might be behind the door. Adira glanced at Luka, who gave her a subtle nod, before opening the front door with a smile plastered on her face.

While she maintained a cool and pleasant attitude, her eyes were curious and mistrustful as she looked upon the man that was clad in light armor. It was unusual to see a member of the lord's house or guard this deep into Winter Town without a demand or escort from the lord of the keep. Adira took in the pensive look of the dark stranger and recognized him as one of the members of Ned Starks personal guard. His deep black eyes were flickering over her form, no doubt covered in wood shavings and mud from her daily events, before meeting her eyes.

"Goodevening, ma'am. I was sent to inquiry about a piece, if I may speak to the craftsman that resides here."

Adira looked at the man and resisted the urge to pull a face at the sexist implication.

"You are looking at her, what may I do for my lord and lady of Winterfell."

The man did a good job of suppressing his shock at her blunt declaration, and deduction of who he worked for, but she could still see the flicker of surprise as his brows rose the slightest.

"I come to request a piece for a small piece on behalf of my lord. Two simple night tables, for holding belongings next to the lord and lady's bed, in dark wood style that you specialize in."

"As my lord wishes, it shall be done."

The man nodded his head in affirmation and held out a coin purse to Adira. Her eyes flickered down to the outstretched hand before she gently pushed it into his chest. He looked at her in unabashed surprise this time, clearly shocked that she did not want the purse that was heavy with coin.

"I accept payment only when I know my customer is satisfied, should the piece require additional funds to acquire supplies I may consider advanced payment, but this is not one of those instances. I will have the set completed within a fortnight, and will collect payment then."

The man nodded his head, once again, and he placed the coin purse back on his belt with a small smirk on his lips.

"Then I will be back in a fortnight with a heavy purse for you, my lady."

Adira resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the use of the title, an obvious attempt at what a higher ranking member of society used as flattery to flirt with the smallfolk. Adira's lips pursed together to keep from biting out a reply, as she simply nodded her head and closed the door on the man that continued to eye her as she retreated inside the house.

Adira turned and locked eyes with Luka, who looked pensive and stiff as he waited in silence so that they could hear the guard retreat. As heavy footsteps faded, Evex and Artorius lowered themselves from the loft so that they were standing on the ground floor. All of the people in the house had a dark look on their face, and none liked the idea of working for the lord of Winterfell.

"You have drawn too much attention to us, Adira. I feel very uneasy about this commission."

"Well, I'm sorry that I do good at making us money so that we can all eat while you and the others spend every waking moment fretting over events that I KNOW are not going to happen." Adira snapped at Evex as her blue eyes reflected her own worry.

"Adira, calm down. We all know that if something major were to happen, you would hopefully let us know, but until then we rely on whatever weird intuition that Evex's mother has blessed her with and the rules my mother implemented."

Both Adira and Evex turned angry eyes at Artorius, as he attempted to defend and insult Evex in the same breath. The trio of cousins looked at each other, in tense expectations, each one waiting for the fight that rested on the tip of all of their tongues to start.

"Well, I think it is a great way to make coin, and if no one is having visions about this being a bad idea, then to hell with the rules." The three were quick to end their staring contest and turn to look at Luka. "I mean..." He continued, "it is a good opportunity and staying out of the eyes of the lords doesn't 'ave to mean staying out of their pockets."

"It's too dangerous!" Evex exclaimed in retaliation. She could see Adira considering Luka's words with a small smirk on her face, but all she felt was trepidation about the situation. While Artorius and Adira may make fun of her feelings, they all knew that they tended to be correct. By procuring a piece for the lord and lady of Winterfell, they were bringing their craft out of the homes of the smallfolk and into the keeps. Where one lord adores a crafted piece, another does as well, and they quickly begin to want said craftsmen to commission pieces for many lords and bannermen because it is a social trend. Evex knew that, with their situation, Adira could not afford to become a trending craftsman that had attention brought to her. She was risking, not only her own life, but the life of every one that resided in the small hut as well.

"I'm making the piece; we need the coin."

Adira's words of finality about the situation were biting, and caused Evex and Artorius to look at each other in worry.

"Mother had rules for a reason, Adira. You dare dishonor her memory by doing this?"

Adira turned to look at Artorius whose usually sarcastic and sullen demeanor was overtaken with worry. She knew what the rules were, as common place as they might have been. The most important rule: do not interact with the lords and ladies, we must never draw attention to ourselves. Adira worried her lip between her teeth at the though. She was drawing attention to them, straight from the eyes of the Keep that could potentially ruin their lives, but she had not seen anything troublesome. With the thought, she released the flesh from between her teeth and let the worry quickly subside. She would know if this would cause problems, and yet she had seen nothing.

"She wasn't my mother."

The words cast a finality among the group, and Evex and Artorius seemed shocked and enraged by her words. Even Luka appeared taken aback at the tone in which she referred to the late mother that had raised them all since they were babes. However, it was the truth. Eliza Cargyll, for all the guidance she had provided the children with, had never been her mother. No, her mother was across the sea trying to right the supposed injustice done to their people, people that Eliza could have cared less about.

"She was as much a mother to you as she was to Artorius and I, Adira. Your childish attitude towards our upbringing is deplorable. How dare you dishonor her memory with your callous words and incompetent actions." Evex's voice was low, and biting, as she approached Adira and stuck a finger to her chest in a reprimanding manner. "You," she emphasized with another poke at her chest. "You think you're better than us, because you have a mother, but where is she? Where is this woman that engraved some 'higher-calling' upon you and our family?" She took a step back and let her arms raise in a questioning gesture before coming back down with a light slap on her sides. "Not here, she is off, whoring herself for a throne that will never be reclaimed while we run for our lives."

Adira could not combat the words that Evex spoke, because she knew them to be true, and instead turned on her heel. She angrily grabbed a heavy block of wood, grabbed her knife, and began to work on the piece she had promised.

"I'm doing this, whether you lot like it, or not."

"You'll be the death of us all."

"So be it."