It had been a late and rather stormy night when Yara heard that knock on the door. She had gone to bed after the celebration of Rickon's nameday, a tradition the northerners loved to maintain, and in the Stark family there were five children, not including Jon, Theon and Yara herself. It was peacetime and Lord Eddard Stark had somewhat secured that peace. The peasants were happy, the workers were happy and the noble people too, so Ned had seen fit to have a great nameday for Rickon with lots of singing and dancing. Even Catelyn Stark had worn a big smile on her face.
After the celebration had ended, Yara went to her chambers, still hearing the echo inside her head from the loud music. She was not much of a lively character on the dance floor, but Robb had somehow persuaded her to dance with him and Arya. First she had objected, but when the two Starks had literally dragged her onto the floor, she had given in and indulged in that silly custom. Theon had been looking on from the back of the Great Hall, sulking and dour with his arms crossed, leaning against the one of the pillars holding up the roof. His eyes had been on Sansa who was fooling around with either Bran or Jeyne Poole – but not Jon. Jon had a strong aversion to dancing and having fun; he was always serious about everything, so surely he would not be found among the participators in the dancing. He just sat in his regular seat, overviewing the whole Hall.
Dancing with Robb and his crazy tomboy of a sister, Yara could not maintain her severe face for long, and Robb did have a contagious laughter. As a child, he had been much more lighthearted, but age had burdened him with the responsibilities of being the future ruler of Winterfell and Protector of the North. Robb took his role very seriously, wanting to be a great leader someday. He had told Yara many times that he hoped to turn his government of the North into a family affair, benefitting from Bran's brains, Jon's righteousness and Theon's pride. At the time, she had tried not to look too upset that he had completely excluded her from his plans, but afterwards, when she had only answered him in short and cold sentences, he had burst out laughing, telling her that he had left her out on purpose to see how she would react. Then he had stroked her hand gently and said that he was happy that she had reacted with such dismay as it had assured him that she believed that her future was in Winterfell.
His comment had made her feel both pleased and agonized, as she could not help but feel that he had trapped her, making her choose between her two homes without even noticing.
Well, that was all forgotten now – well, almost, as Yara was not a person who quickly forgave herself for making a fool out of herself.
After the dancing and celebration, where Theon somehow managed to get one dance with Sansa, Yara went to her chambers. She watched the rest of the celebration as she walked through the Great Hall towards her bedroom. Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves, and now even Theon looked peaceful.
When she reached her room, she closed the heavy, wooden door behind her and lit some candles. Then she undressed herself and sat on her soft bed, looking at the map of Westeros that Ned had given her for her 15th nameday. She had always wanted to travel the world by sea, and seeing as Ned was a perceptive man, he had had a map made of Westeros especially for her. She looked at it almost every night before going to bed, gently touching the Iron Islands before putting it away.
This night was no different, but instead of going to sleep immediately, she heard someone knocking on her door. She jumped up from her bed with her heart threatening to jump out of her throat.
"Who is it?", she asked sharply, now on her feet in her nightwear. For a moment, no one answered.
"Who is it?", she repeated, feeling anxiety moving up her spine.
"Ned", a voice whispered. "Can I come in?". The answer took Yara by surprise. What was he doing here at this time, whispering?
Slowly, she approached the door and opened it. There Ned was, standing in all his might, smiling at her.
"I hope I did not startle you?", he asked as he stepped inside. "Even though I imagine startling you would be impossible", he continued, still smiling. She closed the door after him, only now realizing that she was not properly dressed. For a second, it embarrassed her but when she tried to cover up, Ned held up his hand.
"You don't need to do that". He smiled again and sat down on a chair next to her bed. She did not reply and a sense of curiosity hit her.
"I have seen you in far worse situations", he then laughed and looked at her. She sat down on her bed.
"Remember the time when you believed that you were able to sail to Bravos from White Harbor and nearly drowned?", he started reminiscing. She smiled and nodded.
"I made that boat myself", Yara replied with a faint smile, reliving the situation where the heavy current ripped her clothes apart, and Ned had to rescue her and bring her to shore all naked.
"It was a very fine boat", he said and put his hand tenderly on her knee.
"I came here for a reason", he then said, and his touch made an unexpected heat spread from her knee to her thigh. That startled her more than the knock on the door earlier. She hoped that she did not blush.
"You have been here for a long time – almost ten years, I think", he said, starting to move his fingers, caressing her through her trousers. She remained silent, as not a single word was able to escape her lips.
"And it is no secret that I am very fond of you… and your brother, too", he continued. Finally she forced herself to look at him.
"Theon?", she said stupidly. Of course, who else?, she said to herself.
"Well, maybe you the most, but Theon is my ward too. He might be difficult sometimes, but I still care for him". Ned smiled and removed his hand. She felt a burning sensation where his hand had been, but it was not a bad feeling.
"Theon and Robb are good friends, and you get along with all of them. I know Robb is very fond of you too, including you in his plans for the future here in Winterfell. I don't think he has ever contemplated the thought that you might leave someday", Ned continued, looking at her to see her reaction. She nodded and felt involuntarily pleasure from both his words and his touch.
"I know. But it is not up to me to decide where to live", she just answered with usual confidence, hinting that her status as his ward annoyed her. It made Ned chuckle.
"That is what I like about you. There is no nonsense with you. You fit in here perfectly". He moved closer, and this time he took her hand and held it between his own. The skin on his hands was rough and frayed, but yet she felt no pain. She felt the opposite.
"I know you are Ironborn and your heritage bids you to be loyal to the Iron Islands. But I want you to know that I consider you one of my daughters still, Yara". He sought her eyes, with a bit of a tormented look in his own eyes. Even though she knew that Ned liked her, she had never heard him express it like this before. Her eyes went big and she managed a faint smile.
"Then I have two fathers", she finally said, comparing Ned to Balon in her mind. They were very different.
"I know you already have a father, and maybe you are still angry for being taken away from him, but I want you to know this: With family celebrations like Rickon's nameday today, I feel that you are a part of my family too. And I hope that you feel that way as well?".
"I never had much affection for my father", she then said impartially and smiled. She moved her fingers inside his grip, but she did not try to pull away. His palms were warm and welcoming.
"I know Balon Greyjoy, and I know he is no loving man, but I hope your stay here has not been all bad", he then said with something sounding like a plea wrapped up inside his words. It made him squeeze her hands gently. She shook her head.
"You know it hasn't, Ned. I have adapted. I am a survivor", she answered, and he nodded.
"That you are. You are a great many things. You are a great fighter, great in combat, an inspiration and not least a wonderful person". His voice went softer as he said the last words, and he smiled at her.
"Thank you. You know that I respect you a lot. Your leadership is inspirational. I hope one day to be able to lead the way you do", she then opened up a little, feeling awkward. But she also felt that she ought to be honest when he was.
"Thank you, Yara. And I really hope that this one day will be here. That you will lead here. I know I have no claim to you and your allegiance, but I want you to know that I grant you your freedom to do whatever you like", he then said with seriousness in his eyes, squeezing her fingers tighter. It sent another wave of warmth through her body, making her feel a bit lightheaded. She had not experienced this feeling before, but she had heard Sansa and Jeyne Poole talking about it. Then his words hit her, and she looked straight at him.
"What do you mean? You grant me my freedom?". Her heart was beating faster. He nodded with a friendly smile.
"What it means. If you want to leave, feel free to do so. If you want to return home to the Iron Islands, I will not stop you. You have done a lot for me and my family, and I will no longer hold you prisoner". He smiled as he gave her the ultimate present.
"But", he continued, "I want you to know that I would love for you to stay here. In my opinion, you belong here. But it is entirely your choice".
Yara felt speechless. Ned let go of her hand and started moving towards the door.
"Good night, Yara. Take your time to decide", he then said with a smile as he closed the door.
A/N: Yara has her freedom now – it is now up to her to choose her final allegiance. Will she stand by the Starks or will she return home to the Iron Islands, leaving Robb and ignoring her vows? Next chapter will feature Theon and Sansa!