Chapter Four

Ned Stark walked into the room with dark, cold eyes, and hard expression that made the fire even shudder. Nyra looked up from her mint tea, feeling her blood run cold. The man before her was everything that she had heard. He had dark eyes, brown hair that hung shaggy in contrast with his neatly trimmed beard.

She turned to the young man, standing in the corner. He had the same eyes as his Lord and the same hair except for the red hue in it. The other boy stood close by. He looked more like Ned Stark than the other. His features were long, dark, and guarded. Nyra sat her cup down and nodded in respect.

"My Lord," Nyra started. "Thank you for your hospitality."

Ned looked at her for a long moment. Then, he turned to his two sons. Jon and Robb were standing close together, which made Ned start at first. He never noticed how much they looked alike until they were standing like that. He turned back to the girl. Her fingers were drumming against the sheets in nerviness. Ned almost smiled. Whatever she was running from, she didn't want to go back.

"My son, Robb, tells me you're the daughter of Lord Lanius," Ned said it more as a question.

"Yes, my lord," Nyra answered quickly.

Ned stared at her for a long time. He might have been wrong the first time. This was not nerves or fear. She was defensive and guarded. He looked at her, seeing how Jon acted sometimes.

"Why were you so far North?" Ned asked.

Nyra looked up at him and swallowed hard. She didn't want to lie. It would not help her, and she needed the safety. She looked up at the Lord of Winterfell.

"My uncle is the Lord Commander of the Night Watch."

Jon suddenly looked up. Nyra felt his eyes studying her. She tried to focus on her teacup. She saw that Ned was looking at her with a lot of doubt. It was hard to believe. She knew that. She said nothing as Ned and Jon exchanged a look.

"You sought sanctuary at the Wall?" Jon asked suddenly.

Nyra looked over at him and nodded silently. She was not proud that she had slunk to the Wall, trying to hide from all of this. She glanced over, noticing Robb as looking at her intently.

"What are you running from?" Ned asked.

Nyra looked around the room. She longed for another woman to be in the room. She didn't know if the men would really understand why she ran. Before she got a chance to even say anything, there was a loud sound from the gate. Ned and Robb went to the window. Ned swore loudly.

"What is it?" Jon asked.

"The King is close," Ned said gruffly. "You two go get your shaves and haircuts." He turned to Nyra.

The blood had drained from Nyra's face. Ned thought he saw some fear in her eyes as well. He wondered if she was running from the King. There was no place in the Seven Kingdoms except the Wall that she could hide.

"I will be back Lady Lanius," Ned said with a cold guarantee. "Master Luwin says you are not able to ride yet."

Nyra could only nod. She didn't know that her intentions could be so plainly written on her face. Ned motioned for the boys to leave. Robb led Jon away and two wolves followed, leaving Nightshadow to his spot in front of the fire. Ned started for the door when Nyra looked at him.

"Lord Stark," she said his name in almost a whisper. "Is Soren alright?"

Ned turned to her. "Soren?"

"My horse."

Ned smiled and nodded. "He has about tore my stable down from kicking and bucking, but he is well."

Nyra grinned. The horse like her wolf protected her at all costs. She remembered how he had tried to run to get away. She had hoped the horse had found somewhere safe to go. She heard the door start to close when it stopped.
"What attacked you?" Ned asked from the door.

Nyra shivered at the thought of Martain's headless body. She still didn't know what those things were. She remembered those strange blue eyes. She turned to Ned and shook her head.

"I don't know, my Lord," Nyra answered, but it was only half-true. "They were creatures with strange blue eyes."

Ned stared at her for a long time, nodded, and then walked out. Nyra settled back against the pillows, looking over at the fire. Since Lord Stark had brought up the creatures, nothing could bring warmth back to her. But now, she worried about something else. With the King came Lannisters. With the Lannisters came a truth she thought she might out run.

It was a few hours before Nyra thought about anything else. She had fallen asleep. She turned her head and found the one they called Jon in the chair where Robb had been. He was staring into the flames of the fire with something on his mind.

"Has the King arrived?" Nyra asked softly.

Jon turned to her with a soft smile. Nyra smiled back because she couldn't help herself. There was something about when he smiled. He didn't seem to do it that often so when he did, it was like looking at a spring morning.

"Yes," Jon admitted. "They are having a feast tonight."

"Why aren't you there?"

Jon sighed. "The company is better here. My uncle, Benjen, should be here soon."

"Benjen Stark?"

Jon nodded. "I think Father wanted him to see you."

Nyra nodded. "Then perhaps I should try to get up."

Jon stood in an instant. He walked over to the bed, pushing her back. "Stay. It will wait. There is another feast tomorrow."

Nyra reached out, touching his hand. They were rough and cracked from the cold. He had calluses from holding a sword and bow most of his life. His fingers lingered against her for a long moment before he pulled them away.

"Why do they hate you? Jon, isn't it?"

Jon turned to her and pulled his hand away. "I'm a bastard."

Nyra felt taken aback. She had seen this boy and Ned Stark standing close together. There was no way this young man before her did not belong to Ned.

"You are not Lady Stark's son?" Nyra looked up at him.

Jon shook his head. Nyra thought it was sadly at first, but it was more like defiance. Nyra only spoke to Lady Stark once, and she could tell, she didn't like another woman around.

"I'm sorry," Nyra knew that was not what Jon wanted to hear.

Jon nodded when the door opened. Jon jumped back as Nyra looked up. She expected Robb or Lord Stark. But there was only a little boy with long, brown hair standing there. He cautiously entered the room.

"Bran," Jon said with a tone. "You are supposed to be in bed."

Nyra looked at the little boy and grinned. It was not hard to tell that he too was a Stark. He walked into the room, staring more at Nightshadow than Nyra. Finally, he looked up at her and gave her a nod.

"And you are?" Nyra asked softly.

Bran looked up with a slight blush. "I'm Bran Stark."

"I'm Nyra Lanius."

"I came to feed your wolf."

Nyra looked at Jon. He shook his head, but he had smile playing on his lips. Nyra laughed softly. Jon looked over at her. He had not heard laughter like that in a long time. Nyra had the simplest and softest laugh he had ever heard. It didn't help that her face seemed to light up when she smiled.

"His name is Nightshadow."

Bran suddenly lit up as he ran over to the dog. He had brought him all sorts of scraps. Nightshadow ate them greedily and then licked the boy. Nyra could only smile, wishing she could get up.

"I hope you fed Summer," Jon said.

"Summer?" Nyra said, looking between them.

"Bran's direwolf."

"You all have one?"

Jon nodded. "Mine is Ghost, Robb's is Grey Wind. Bran's is Summer. The girls have them too as does Rickon."

"Six direwolves?"

Bran grinned as he nodded vigorously. Nyra began to laugh again when the door opened again. The room fell silent again as the door opened. She froze when a man in all black stood in the door. Jon turned then smiled.

"Uncle Benjen," he said with a smile.

"Jon," he walked over, hugging him. "I'm here to talk to Lady Nyra."

Jon nodded and took Bran by the arm. The boys left the room, leaving Nyra alone with the man of the Night's Watch. Benjen walked over and sat down. Nyra longed for a glass of wine.

"Your uncle was worried," Benjen started.

"I have no idea how long I have been here."

"Lord Eddard said over a week. You slept for two days, and the boys have no idea you were in the snow."

Nyra sighed. "I guess you saw the King."

Benjen nodded. "And your husband to be."

Nyra growled a little. "I won't marry him. I don't care if I have to become a Septa and stay here until I die."

"The cold doesn't suit you."

Nyra sighed. "You sound like my uncle."

Benjen sighed. "I told Lord Stark that you were telling the truth."

Nyra nodded her thanks. "Will he let me stay?"

"It will be up to his son, Robb."

Nyra looked at Benjen strangely. "What? Why?"

"Lord Eddard Stark is going to be Hand of the King."