AN: Thank you to everyone reviewing/following this story, it means a lot to me and I hope you are all enjoying it.

New story: I have a new Jon story up called Northern Rose please check it out, only one chapter so far but I would love to hear what you think.

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Anyway, hope you enjoy...

Break me Down

Faye

Supper was a lively event, the table alive with chatter and laughter. Faye felt overwhelmed, never having experienced anything like it before in her life. She sat quietly observing, chewing on her bread and salted meat with enthusiasm. The Maester had said to eat more than usual to help get her strength back and she was listening to him for once.

She sat beside Jon who often smiled in her direction. It was obvious he was uncomfortable; Faye didn't miss the looks Catelyn would through in his direction. It made Faye a little sad, it was his father who had wronged Catelyn not Jon yet Faye could also understand, a reminder of her husband's betrayal couldn't be easy to live with.

Throughout the meal she began to relax, she listened to Rickon as he told her stories and agreed to let Arya teach her how to use a bow and arrow though she feared she would be no use. She accepted Sansa's offer to help make a dress, the older girl had slowly warmed to Faye over the course of the evening.

Bran had asked her if she would like to go to the Godswood with him on the morrow and Faye had accepted intrigued by the sound of its beauty. Jon and Robb would accompany them. She felt a slight flutter of her heart when she knew Jon would be going. He intrigued her.

She caught Catelyn's eye near the end of their meal and was greeted with a warm smile which she returned.

After less than a day spent getting to know the Stark family she already felt accepted and the notion was strange for Faye. They were kind and giving and they didn't seem to expect anything in return for their generosity apart from her friendship. It was queer but nice.

Break me Down

It was the next morning and she stood with Bran waiting for his two older brothers. They were going to the Godswood, Faye was rather excited, and she had listened as Rickon had relayed stories of the Godswood and how beautiful it was, and how cold the water in the small pond was. She laughed when Rickon explained how he had found out. A child's curiosity was an innocent thing.

Summer, Bran's direwolf sat at the young boy's heels. Bran was bouncing excitedly while scanning the courtyard for any sign of his siblings. He was a sweet boy, Faye found herself feeling slightly protective of the two young Stark children, and with Rickon it was almost motherly.

"Finally," Bran called, Faye turned to see Robb and Jon walking towards them their fur cloaks dragging on the floor behind them. She played with the edges of her own, Catelyn had given her several dresses and a black fur cloak and Sansa had kindly offered to make her several dresses.

"Come on then," Robb said with a smile, he and Bran walking off in front of them.

Faye glanced at Jon with a smile while they walked. The silence was comfortable and she took the time to take in Winterfell. It was beautiful, old yet still standing. Its appeal to Faye was great; she was used to the perfect silk drapes and lush cushions and sheets, the grand windows and the elaborate decor. Winterfell was anything but elaborate, it had no silk drapes or fancy luxuries but it had its own appeal. Faye preferred it.

"Do you mind going to the Godswood?" Jon asked her as they walked.

Faye frowned, confused by his question. Why would she mind? "No, I'm rather excited, why?"

He blushed, "I just thought that you being from the South, you would pray to the new Gods."

"I prayed too many Gods, old and new alike hoping one of them would answer." Faye replied simply.

"And did they?" Jon enquired bravely.

Faye smiled at him, "I'm here and not in Kings Landing. So, yes I suppose they did, in an odd way."

They shared a smile before catching up with Jon's brothers. Bran nattered telling Faye many things, irrelevant things yet she listened and smiled. They made it to the Godswood soon enough and Faye stopped and stared while Robb and Bran moved ahead, kneeling before the heart tree.

"Beautiful, isn't it," Jon had stopped beside and he whispered to her.

She nodded slowly. The heart tree was captivating, the face looked to be crying blood tears and she dared not guess how old it was. Its leaves were also red, faded almost looking slightly pink. She tore her eyes from the tree to gaze at the surrounding area; she saw the pond lily's floating on the surface, the grass seemed to be greener almost to green and the songs of birds were cheery. It was almost magical.

She glanced at Jon to see him staring at her intently, she blushed but she did not look away. They stared at one another; eyes locked his dark grey to her light blue. Her lips twitched into a smile and as she lowered her eyes she couldn't help but wonder what Jon thought of her.

What does he see? A girl or a whore? She hoped for the former because the latter was something she never wanted to be again.

Break me Down

They walked into Theon on their way back. He fell into step beside the small group.

"Have you heard the news?" He asked them a smile playing on his lips.

It was Robb that answered. "What news?"

"The King rides for Winterfell, with what sounds like the rest of the court as well. They'll be here within the month." Theon announced.

Faye frowned. Why? She thought and apparently so did Jon.

"Why is the King coming to Winterfell?" Jon asked.

Theon turned to Jon. "The Hand of the King, Jon Arryn is dead. Word is that Robert is coming to ask Lord Stark to replace him."

"Father can't be the Hand of the King, he's Lord of Winterfell," Bran said with a frown.

She looked at Robb who wore a grimace. Faye found herself feeling sorry for the eldest Stark, if his father left he would be the Lord of Winterfell and though he had eighteen name days under his belt he was still young. Faye couldn't imagine the amount of pressure he would be under.

"The entire court?" Faye hadn't realised she voiced her thoughts until Theon turned to her.

"That's what I hear," Theon answered.

Would Lord Baelish be with them? She wondered having no desire to see the man. Faye wondered if he'd want to take her back, after all she was his. Of course he'll want you back. She frowned.

"You won't have to go back," she heard Jon say from beside her. She looked up at him wondering how he always knew what she was thinking; she wondered if she was that easy to read.

Her smiled was strained, "If Lord Baelish comes he will probably strike a deal with your father." She sighed. "Lord Baelish will want me back."

"Father won't make a deal with Lord Baelish," she turned to Robb as he spoke kindly.

Faye watched as Jon nodded in agreement. "You're not something to sell, or make deals with."

"There right, you have been placed under the protection of the Starks," Theon chimed in. "We found you, saved you. Lord and Lady Stark won't let you be taken back."

She smiled at them all, they all seemed so convinced and believed their own words but they did not know Petyr Baelish.

"You don't know him," she said. "Lord Baelish gets what he wants, he is a clever man and he plays his games well."

"Life is not a game Faye," Jon said with a frown.

She snorted; very unlady like but then again Faye was no lady. "Life is one big game and you're either a player or a pawn. Petyr Baelish is a player and everyone he owns in their own way has their own uses."

Faye remembered the countless times Lord Baelish had her get information from the high Lords, guards and any other man who might have a secret that visited her. Sometimes they were to drunk on wine to realise they were spilling their secrets and sometimes they were just too drunk on her and once she brought them to their release they would spill their seed and their secrets. After all she was only a pretty whore in their eyes, who would she tell, what would she do with the information?

"What was your use?" she heard Theon ask and she saw Jon give him a filthy look but she noticed he did not say anything. He too wanted to know.

"Secrets," she said. "Power is knowledge and when you give a pretty girl to a man sometimes they forget themselves."

She sighed, remembering the countless secrets she spilled to Lord Baelish and in return he would give her a night off. That's why she did it, why she let herself be one of Petyr's pawns because it made her life a little easier.

"What secrets?" she had almost forgotten Bran was there.

She smiled down at him, ruffling his hair. "Secrets I will take to my grave if I want to keep my head." She answered dramatically with a smile but yet she told the truth, the things she knew could cost her, the price being her life.

"Can you not even tell me one?" he said with a smile.

She laughed, "Maybe, one day."

Faye didn't know that Bran would discover one of the many secrets she knew on his own and it would cost him, dearly.

Break me Down

Dearest Faye,

I hear from Lord Baelish that you are in Winterfell it seemed odd to me and he told me no more than that, you will have to tell me the story when I arrive. I must warn you, Petyr is not happy that you are no longer in his service and he travels with us to Winterfell. I will do my best to help you, if you so wish to stay in Winterfell but even I might not be enough to stop him. We both know Littlefinger gets what he wants and he has many tricks.

I will see you within the month my dear, I hope you are well and that we will spend some time together upon my arrival. I have so missed you.

Tyrion

The raven had arrived three days after Theon told her the news. Faye was sitting in her room and as she read the letter her fear grew, reading Tyrion's letter confirmed her fears. Petyr was coming to Winterfell and she had no doubt it was to get her.

But she pushed her fear aside for a while letting herself smile. She had missed Tyrion and was glad her old friend would be in Winterfell soon.

She sighed wondering what would happen when they arrived. Would Ned accept the Kings offer if it was true that Robert was travelling to ask Lord Stark to become the new Hand of the King? She hoped not, Faye knew many secrets and truths and she feared that if Eddard Stark went to Kings Landing he would not survive. In the short time she had been in Winterfell she knew one thing for certain, the Starks belonged in the North where it was true and there was honour.

If Ned were to go to Kings Landing she feared Ned's honour would hinder him and others would see it as a weakness.

I will warn him Faye thought he must know what would await him.

Faye made that promise to herself and if the time came she would tell Eddard Stark some truths, not all of them, just enough for him to decline. Faye knew many secrets of the court and she knew it was a dangerous place.

She wouldn't let herself or Lord Stark go to Kings Landing. Neither of us belongs there.

"Faye," the door opened and Arya stood in the door way smiling. "It's time."

She smiled and placed the letter into her cedar chest before following Arya out the door.

"Let's see if I can master the art of archery then," she said with a laugh knowing full well it was a lost cause before she already started.

In the court yard all the Stark children were gathered, even Sansa and Lord and Lady Stark watched from a balcony above, Theon was also there. Bran had a bow and arrow in hand and Jon was beside him encouraging him.

They all greeted her as she arrived and soon they were all encouraging her as well as Bran. She smiled, she had been right Faye was rubbish with a bow and arrow and the Starks laughed good naturedly as she missed every time, Faye laughed with them feeling oddly warm inside. They were a family, they loved one another it was clear and they obviously cared for Theon also and it was understandable he had grown up with them but what Faye was having difficulty understanding was how accepting of her they were.

She felt, oddly, like part of the family.

And she liked it.

AN: What do you think? Like? Let me know, all opinions and constructive criticism is welcome. I love hearing what you guys think.