Chapter 3: The Crypt of Winterfell
The crypt's ironwood door, which was located in no doubt the oldest section of Winterfell, near the First Keep, was old and heavy.
The damp, dark and gloomy place was accessible by narrow and winding spiral stone steps which lead to multiple floors. One floor contained a long line of granite pillars, two by two, between which are entombed the dead of House Stark.
The old faces of Winterfell's predecessors were carved into the stone, large stone direwolves curled at their feet. So well carved it seemed they were staring at the two girls walking past, lighting candle by candle as they went.
According to tradition, the iron longswords across each lord's lap keep vengeful spirits within the crypt.
The cavernous vault was larger than Winterfell itself, with the older kings buried on deeper and darker floors. The lowest is said to be partly collapsed.
The most recent tombs within the crypts are those of Lord Rickard, Brandon, and Lyanna Stark, where her father had got the idea for her name.
Lyanna Stark had been her father's sister, and to honor her, he had given almost the exact name to his first born daughter.
The tombs further back, empty and unsealed, were saved for future members of House Stark. Lyrianna shuddered at the thought. "Lyria, are you okay?" Sansa asked her. "You're not usually this quiet."
"We're in a crypt, Sansa." Lyria whispered slowly, but anyone could tell that wasn't the reason.
She sighed. "I know, but that never used to stop you." She reminded her. "We both used to sing here together, remember? To bring peace to the dead."
Lyrianna nodded. "I do. But that was a long time ago... Things have changed and the dead have found their piece... I've yet to find my own."
Sansa frowned as she placed a soft hand on her shoulder. "Mother once told me how much your singing bought her joy. I haven't heard you sing since before we went to Kings Landing. I miss it, your voice was so beautiful."
Lyrianna smiled at her sister sadly, embracing her. "Sansa, you know we've both lost so much... First Jon gets sent to the wall, our father beheaded, then Arya disappearing, Mother and Robb dying at a bloody wedding, by Roose Bolton's hand and now I have to marry his son." She her whisper almost came out as a whimper. "You're all I have left and I promise you that I will sing to you again... But now..."
Sansa squeezed her sister's hand reassuringly, a stray tear falling down her cheek. "I understand."
Before they could converse any longer, a familiar voice came out of the shadows. "I thought I might find you two here." Petyr stated.
He came beside them and looked up at the statue of her aunt, sighing. "Your Aunt Lyanna."
Lyrianna nodded. "My father never talked about her. Sometimes I'd find him down here, lighting the candles."
"They say she was beautiful." Sansa added.
Petyr nodded in agreement. "I saw her once. I was a boy, living with your mother's family. Lord Whent had a great tourney at Harrenhal.
Everyone was there. The Mad King, your father, Robert Baratheon, and Lyanna. She was already promised to Robert. You can imagine what it was like for me, a boy from nowhere, with nothing to his name, watching these legendary men, tilting at the lists. The last two riders were Barristan Selmy and Rhaegar Targaryen.
"When Rhaegar won, everyone cheered for the prince. I remember the girls laughing when he took off his helmet and they saw that silver hair. How handsome he was. Until he rode right past his wife, Elia Martell, and all the smiles died. I've never seen so many people so rode past his wife and he lay a crown of winter roses in Lyanna's lap. Blue as frost. How many tens of thousands had to die because Rhaegar chose your aunt?"
Lyrianna scoffed. "Yes, he chose her... And then he kidnapped her and raped her."
"Come." He beckoned them away from the tombs, "Let's speak somewhere the dead can't hear us."
It was then that Lyria noticed his clothing. "Dressed for riding?"
"I am."
"Where are you going?" Sansa asked, her eyes wide.
"King's Landing."
The two girls exchanged horrified glanced. "King's Landing?!"
"Cersei sent for me. We must not let her sniff out any trouble." He explained.
Lyrianna's heart pounded. "You can't leave us here."
"I know how hard it is to live with people you despise, believe me." He sighed. "But it won't be for long."
"How do you know?"
"Stannis Baratheon garrisons at Castle Black." He stated. "He'll march south to King's Landing before the winter snows block his way. But first, he has to take Winterfell."
Sansa shook her head. "You don't know that."
"I do."
"Once he liberates these lands from the Boltons he'll rally your father's bannermen to his cause. With the North behind him, Stannis can finally take the Iron Throne."
Lyrianna frowned, "You think he'll defeat the Boltons?"
Petyr nodded. "He has a larger army. He's the finest military commander in Westeros. A betting man would put his money on Stannis. As it happens, I am a betting man."
"And if you're right?" She asked.
"Stannis takes Winterfell, he rescues you from the most despised family in the North. Grateful for your late father's courageous support for his claim, he names you Wardeness of the North."
Her eyes widened in shock. "But I-I wouldn't-! Wardeness of the North?" She most defiantly wasn't ready.
"You two are the last surviving Starks." He explained. "He needs you."
Sansa frowned. "What if you're wrong? What if Stannis never attacks Winterfell, or he does and the Boltons defeat him?"
"Then Lyrianna will take this Bolton boy, Ramsay, and make him hers." He smiled at her.
After the rumours she heard about the boy, she doubted it possible. "I don't know how to do that."
"Of course you do. He's already fallen for you." She almost had the urge to throw up there and then.
"His father frightens me." Sansa whispered.
Petyr placed a hand on her shoulder. "He should, he's a dangerous man. But even the most dangerous men can be outmaneuvered. And you learned to maneuver from the very best. I return before too long. You'll both be strong without me. The North will be yours. Do you believe me?"
She wanted to, but she was afraid that if she did, she'd only get disappointed. "I expect I'll be a married woman by the time you return." She said sadly.
He said his farewells and left the two sister's alone again. "Sansa, I think it's getting late... We should rest."
The next morning Lyria was woken by a knock on her door. "Milady, I was sent to wake you!" It was a male's voice, much to her surprise.
Her tired eyes opened and she noticed the sun had still not risen. "I-I'm awake!" She called, "Y-you can come in!" But the man seemed to have already left.
She groaned in frustration, as she slowly got out of her bed. Goosebumps rose to her skin as she removed the thick furs off of her. He bare feet were cold against the stone floor as she stood.
It was then that she noticed the piece of parchemin that had been shoved under the door. Without any further hesitation, Lyria walked over to it and unfolded it.
Meet me by the Hunter's Gate in no more than one hour
- Ramsay Bolton
Lily scoffed, 'If he thinks I'm going to hunt with him he's in for quite a shock' she thought bitterly.
Nevertheless she put on her hunting trousers which were dark and comfortable, made of a thick faded fabric that was easy to run in. Her boots were made of fine leather and her soft dark coloured shirt was covered by a leather corset and a thick brown vest to keep her warm.
Then to finish off, she braided her hair to keep it out of her face. She almost wanted to make Ramsay wait just a little more than an hour to spite him.
But she resisted, knowing his reaction wouldn't be a good one. So she made her way outside, walking past the kennels towards the Hunter's Gate where she saw Ramsay with a very familiar man beside him. Her stomach dropped then and there when she recognized him. "Theon?"
"No! Milady! My name is Reek! Reek, it rhymes with meek!" It sounded as though he was begging her.
Lyrianna glared at Ramsay. "What the hell did you do to him!?" She yelled.
He shushed her. "Keep your voice down, people are still sleeping."
"Answer me." She demanded.
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You're in no position to give me orders, girl." He grinned. "But if you must know, this is Reek. Theon is dead. Isn't that right, Reek?"
He nodded without hesitation. "Yes, master! Theon is dead. I'm Reek it rhymes with freak-"
"Stop it." Lyrianna said desperately. "What happened to him? To Theon?"
Ramsay chuckled. "Theon tried to take over Winterfell, He thought he had succeeded too, until he was betrayed by his own crew and delivered to the Dreadfort." Lyria knew that was where House Bolton used to live."I renamed him, trained him, he was a slow learner, but he learned."
"You flayed him." She whispered, noticing a few missing fingers.
He smirked darkly. "Peeled a few bits... removed a few others."
Lyria couldn't help but notice how 'Reek' shifted uncomfortably. She knew how Theon had betrayed her family, but seeing him like that made her pity him. He deserved to be punished for his crimes. He didn't deserve to be tortured.
Now she knew the rumours were true, "Wh-why did you ask me here?" She demanded.
He smirked. "Come with me."
Where do you think Ramsay will take her? Please review! :)
