Chapter Four

The courtyard was quiet around them; Zora and Zerryn were up earlier than most at Winterfell. The cool morning air surrounded them, but both of them were dripping in sweat. The sounds of their swords meeting time and again clanged and echoed around the walls of the near empty space.

Zora could feel eyes on her from all directions, even if they were mostly alone. Ever since Lord Stark had made the official announcement of her and Robb's betrothal a few days earlier, the people of the castle stared at her more and treated her with more interest. Before, when they first got to Winterfell two weeks ago, she was merely a guest. Now, she was the future Lady of Winterfell. She found that it irritated her; she did not want to be treated differently.

It didn't help that things were progressing quickly. The engagement had only just been made official to their parents when her father had brought up the wedding date. The Blackmyres usually only stayed about three week at Winterfell, and that time was almost up. The options were to have the wedding before Zora's father and brother returned to Myrewood or to leave Zora at Winterfell, her family coming back at some undisclosed date for the wedding.

Lord Blackmyre had thrown out his support for the first idea-the lands around Myrewood had been plagued with an uncommon rise in Wildling attacks. These attacks were quick, untraceable, and bloody. Lord Blackmyre did not know when he would next be able to leave Myrewood to come to Winterfell and, as opposed to an engagement with no end date in sight, he suggested that the wedding take place within the next week, before his departure from Winterfell. He could delay their leaving for a few days so that it was not too quickly planned, but he had a duty to his people and wanted to be there for them, knowing his daughter would be taken care of. Everyone had been a little surprised by the idea, but had agreed that a quick wedding was the best course of action for everybody.

The only downside to this was that Zora was not leaving Winterfell anytime soon, and she did not know when she would see her father or brother again. Although she liked the Starks and knew that she would be happy at Winterfell, they would never replace her blood family.

Zerryn had seen that she was starting to become overwhelmed by this, and had suggested an early morning spar to blow off some steam. The Blackmyre siblings had always used sparring as a way to work off stress, and this morning Zora was especially grateful for it.

Just then two servant girls were passing, carrying clothing to be laundered, and they paused across from her and Zerryn. They leaned in closer to whisper something and giggled. A flash of anger went through her. Her face grew hot and her hands had a burst of heat go through them.

At that moment, Zerryn swung. He aimed down on her, hard. She parried. His arm bounced back towards him. She twisted away. She thrusted her sword straight out in front of her. It clanged against the armor at Zerryn's hip.

"Hit!" She called out happily. Zerryn grimaced and walked away, twisting his sword in his hand.

"Are you giving up, brother?" She called playfully. He shook his head as he stooped down and took a rag off the ground.

"No, dear sister, just taking a break." He said as he cleaned his sword. "Even the greatest warriors need a moment to breath."

"I've never found that to be the case." Zora replied, beginning to clean her own sword.

Zerryn rolled his eyes and looked over at her. "So, how are you feeling about the betrothal?" He asked.

She shrugged, focusing on her sword in front of her. "Fine, I think. How are you supposed to feel about it?"

"I wouldn't know. You're the first of the two of us to be betrothed."

"Yes, even though you are older than me."

Zerryn grinned a little. "Well, the heir of Myrewood needs to have a good match, not to be taken lightly. That takes time, dear sister."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Or you're just picky."

Zerryn laughed. "That, too." He paused a moment. "But seriously, Zora. are you still okay with this?"

She stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. His face was colored with concern. Although she could not always read other people as well, she could always read her brother. Zora knew that he was scared of the prospect of losing her, and her not wanting to leave in the first place. "Zerryn," she began, "like I told Father, and Lord Stark, and Robb himself, I am perfectly happy with this. No, I'm not in love with him, but I don't think I could ask for a better situation."

"How romantic of you."

"I never said I was romantic." Zora chided. "You and I have both known since we were children that we may not get to choose who we marry. Father never hid that from us."

Zerryn scoffed. "Probably because his father hid that fact from him until his marriage to Mother was already arranged."

Zora gritted her teeth. "No one said grandfather was a kind man." She snapped, before continuing. "But, again, to set your mind at ease, dear brother, I am perfectly content to marry Robb Stark if that is what Father asks of me, and it is, so I am."

Zerryn came up to his sister and shook his head at her, leaning on his sword. "Well, 'dutiful' is not a word I would expect to suit you, Zora, but I'm pleased to say it does." He smiled at her sadly. "As much as I hate the thought of losing you, if it's to Robb Stark I think I could learn to be okay with it. You're the only people I've ever lost a fight to, which, as you have said, if fairly impressive in its own right."

"I'm glad you approve." Zora said, and then in a flash she was on her feet. Her arm swung up with her sword and stopped at her brother's throat. He hadn't even had a chance to react.

"I believe I killed you again, dear brother." She said, grinning, and Zerryn rolled his eyes and walked away again.

From behind her came another giggle. Her back stiffened and her breathing became quick. She whipped around, her braid flying over her shoulder, her eyes searching for those girls.

But they were nowhere to be found. The giggle came again, and Zora looked around her, trying to find the source of the noise. It wasn't Zerryn, who had begun cleaning his sword again. There were a few other servants around the courtyard, but none looking in her direction and none laughing.

Then the laugh came a third time, and this time Zora's eyes went upward, to the gallery where she had stood over a week ago and taunted Robb Stark for the last time. And there, looking down at her, was a small girl with dark brown hair. The girl grinned down at Zora.

Zora grinned back. "Lady Arya! You're up early."

The girl nodded. "I heard you were practicing and wanted to watch."

Zora turned to her brother, a question in her eyes, who just shrugged at her in response. She looked back up at Arya. "Why don't you come down here and try it out yourself?"

Arya looked a bit shocked, but then grinned and clambered off the banister where she had been perched. Seconds later, she approached Zora hesitantly.

Zora took on a business-like air, but winked at her to let her know she wasn't serious. "Now, Lady Arya, have you had any training with the sword?"

Arya shook her head. "Not really. I've swung a sword with Jon a few times, but Father never let me have lessons. But I've watched my brothers loads of times"

Nodding, Zora went over to the rack of practice swords. She pulled out one, testing the weight in her hand before throwing it over to Arya, which Arya tried to grab but it fell at her feet. She pulled another out for herself and walked over to Arya, circling her slowly.

"Now," Zora began. "The truth of the matter is, if we were to fight, right here and now, you have a pretty decent chance of beating me." Arya looked surprised, but didn't say anything. Zora continued. "I'm not saying that you could definitely beat me, but, because you are untrained, your actions would not be as easy to follow as someone who has trained a while."

"Is that how you beat my brother?" Arya broke in. Zora stopped and glanced over at Zerryn, who was chuckling silently.

Zora straightened her shoulders and took a breath before answering. "In all honesty, most likely yes. Your brother was still a novice by most standards, and I was untrained. He wasn't able to anticipate my actions because he wasn't trained enough himself."

Arya thought about that a moment. "Could you beat him now?" She asked.

Laughing, Zora said "I'm not sure. Now that we are both trained, it would definitely be harder than when I was seven. But let's focus on you. Let me see your grip."

Arya held out her arm, her hand gripping the handle tightly, her knuckles white. Zora tapped her finger on Arya's tight fist. "Loosen your grip a bit. You don't want to strangle the sword."

Dutifully, Arya loosened her fingers, but the sword slipped out of her hand and onto the ground. "I can't hold it up!" She cried, picking up the sword again.

Holding out her own hand, her fingers loosely holding the hilt of the sword, Zora demonstrated. "You need to hold it tight enough to hold it up, but loose enough so the sword can breathe. It can't fight for you if it's suffocating."

Arya copied Zora's grip and looked at Zora curiously. "You talk about swords as if they were alive."

"To me, they almost are." Zora replied. "Spend enough time with them, and you can see how each sword has its own strengths, its own weaknesses. Fight with them in your hand enough, and they start to feel like a part of you. Now, try and attack me."

Although she looked hesitant, Arya looked down at her hand, checking her grip, but then lunged straight at Zora. Zora easily twisted out of the way and gestured at Arya. "Try again!" She called.

Arya turned back and raised her sword, but then a voice came from above. "Arya Stark!"

Arya froze and turned towards the voice. Above them, where Arya had been perched earlier, was Arya's sister Sansa. The only Stark to get her mother's Tully coloring, Sansa was more a lady than her sister. Zora had always had a soft spot for Arya, knowing the struggle of wanting to be more than just a lady.

Sansa glared down at her sister. "Arya, Septa Mordane has been looking everywhere for you. We have lessons right after breakfast." She shot Zora a look. "You shouldn't be out here fighting."

"But this is so much better than boring lessons with the boring Septa." Arya whined.

Sensing a fight brewing, Zora stepped in. "Arya, you can't neglect your lessons. You should go with your sister." Arya opened her mouth to protest, but Zora leaned over to her and said in her ear "We can practice some other time when your sister isn't around."

Grinning, Arya handed her practice sword to Zora and ran into the keep. Sansa nodded curtly at Zora before turning away and walking after her sister.

Chuckling to herself, Zora went and began cleaning the practice swords before putting them away.

"So you beat Robb because of beginner's luck?" Zerryn asked playfully. Zora rolled her eyes at her brother and picked up her own sword.

"I am not so proud of my own abilities not to recognize that it may have...helped me a little but." Zora said. "I didn't have hardly any skills to beat him with back then."

A voice came from behind Zora. "And what about now?" She turned and saw Theon Greyjoy standing there. She couldn't help but stiffen at the sight of him. Although Theon's tormenting of her had lessened throughout the years, Zora found that part of her hated him now as much as she had as a child.

"What do you want, Greyjoy?" She said through gritted teeth. Her hands gripped the handle of her sword tightly.

"I want to see if you are as good as you say you are." Theon said, smirking, as if he enjoyed making her react this way. "You went on about how you are the only undefeated sword fighter at Myrewood. Although I guess that could have been you covering for your brother's sorry defeat."

Behind her, Zerryn came forward. "She wasn't lying." He said.

Theon smirked again, this time at Zerryn. "You admit to being beaten by your own sister?"

"Gladly." Zerryn said. "She's beaten me twice today alone. There comes a point when you stop taking offense at the loss and be grateful you last as long as you do."

Scoffing, Theon said. "I find that hard to believe."

Again Zora's hand tightened on her sword. "Are you calling my brother a liar?"

"Not necessarily." Theon said. "Perhaps he is just blinded by brotherly affection. It may have slowed his reaction time."

Zora started to move at Theon, her arm pulled back with the sword in hand, but Zerryn's hand grabbed her wrist before she could complete the swing. He gave Zora a warning glare before turning to Theon. "Trust me when I say that all brotherly affection has not been a part of my fighting for some time. When a ten year old breaks her opponent's sword and makes her older brother drop to the ground, affection tends to disappear." He paused. "But, Theon, I warn you from making my sister too angry. She is not a good enemy to have."

Theon put his hands up in mock surrender. "I do not wish to make the future Lady of Winterfell angry." Zora glared at him, and he just smiled before continuing. "I only want to see if she is true to her word. I would hate for the people in the North to be misled about their future Wardenness."

Zora yanked her arm away from her brother's grip and took a breath before addressing Theon. "I would hate for you to think me a liar, Greyjoy." She said. "How do you suggest that I prove myself to you?"

Smiling again at her, Theon crossed his arms and said "You should fight Robb."

From behind Theon a voice said "What?" Robb was standing there, an outraged look on his face. "Theon, did I just hear you not only question Lady Zora' reputation and skills as a fighter and Lord Zerryn's honesty, but also suggest that Lady Zora and I fight?"

"You did, my lord." said Theon, with more confidence than Zora expected. But Zora could see in his eyes that there was flicker of fear.

"I suggest you explain to me why you could possibly think this was acceptable before I beat you to the ground." Zora had seen Robb this angry on very few occasions. His fists were clenched at his sides and he was breathing heavily. His jaw was set and his brow was furrowed, and Zora couldn't help but feel proud that this was the man that she was going to marry.

"It's very simple, my lord." Theon began, his voice losing a little of the confidence he had had moments ago. "Lady Zora has had a reputation for many years as a successful fighter, but here at Winterfell we have not witnessed it to the magnitude it has been described in. Spars with her brother are not the same as being the only undefeated fighter at Myrewood. I was merely suggesting a demonstration against you, our best fighter, would help the people of Winterfell believe in their future Lady."

Robb opened his mouth to reply, but Zora cut in. "My lord, may I speak to you a moment?"

He looked at her a moment, before nodding and stepping away from Theon and Zerryn. Robb's eyes flickered back to Theon as he stood there.

Zora shifted her weight on her feet before speaking. "Robb-," She hesitated, then began again. "Robb, maybe we should listen to him."

His brow furrowed at her, and when he spoke his voice was colored with emotion, but she couldn't figure out what it was. "What," he said, "do you mean?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm sure he's not the only one asking that question. The people here hardly know me." She looked at him very seriously. "If I am to be the Lady of Winterfell, I don't want my people thinking I'm a coward." She paused and smiled at him. "Or that my fiance is too afraid to afraid to fight a girl."

He searched her face a moment and, seeing she was not kidding, he hesitantly returned her smile. "If you're sure-," He said, breaking off.

She nodded. "I'm sure." She said. "Besides, I am curious to see how we match up after all these years."

He chuckled a little nervously and, seeing that she was still smiling, he began to laugh a little more.

She joined in and they turned back to Theon and her brother.

"Well?" Theon asked, quirking his mouth in a way that made Zora sure that he thought she would back down. This spurned her on in her decision.

Robb looked at her, and she nodded. He turned back to Theon. "Lady Zora and I decided we would honor your request."

Theon's faced colored with surprise, and Zora saw Zerryn looking at her from the corner of her eye, but she kept her gaze on Theon.

He recovered quickly, and said. "Alright, then. When will it happen?"

Robb looked uncertain, and Zora broke in. "Tonight." She said, her voice strong and sure.

"Tonight?" Robb said, shocked. He put a hand on her arm. "Are you sure?"

Zora looked down at his hand, and he quickly removed it. She looked up at him and said, with no waver in her voice, "Tonight. And promise me one thing."

"What?" Robb asked.

She glanced at Theon before answering. "Don't hold back."

That evening, the courtyard was filled with people, vastly different than the morning. Zora was warming up her arm, trying to ignore the feeling in her stomach that made her want to throw up, or at least run and hide. This is no different than any other fight at home, she told herself. It's no different. No different at all. Maybe if she repeated it enough she would actually believe it.

Zerryn was watching her cautiously.

"Are you really sure you want to do this?" He asked.

She glared at him, swinging her arms above her head and back down again.

"You know," Zerryn said, "Robb would have told Theon to shove it if you asked him to. He doesn't want to do this."

Zora stopped her warm-ups and looked at him. "How do you know?" She asked.

He pointed at Robb, who was across the courtyard with Jon Snow. She looked at him. Robb kept adjusting his gloves and pacing. Jon was saying something to him but it didn't look like he was listening. He picked up his sword and began swinging it in the empty air, each stroke quicker and harder than the last. His face had an unreadable expression on it.

"See? He's nervous." Zerryn said, and Zora looked at him incredulously.

"That's what he looks like when he's nervous?" She asked. Zerryn returned her gaze, equally incredulous. When he saw she was serious, he began laughing.

"What?" She demanded, starting to feel anger building.

Zerryn shook his head, still laughing. "You're going to marry this man and you can't even read his body language!"

Zora blinked at him, but before she could come up with a retort, Theon came sauntering towards her.

"Ready?" He asked, winking at her. She resisted the urge to spit in his face, and merely nodded. She and Zerryn followed Theon to the middle of the courtyard where everyone was gathered. They made a wide circle, with Robb in the center still pacing. Up above in the walkway were Lord and Lady Stark, along with their other children and the other members of their household. Lord Blackmyre stood a little away from them, looking down at his daughter intenstly.

That afternoon, after Theon had spread the word that Zora and Robb were going to fight, Lord Blackmyre had pulled her aside.

"Zora," He had started, his voice gruff and quick. "Are you sure this is wise?"

She had nodded. "Yes, father. If I don't, Theon will me and Robb both cowards, and the people of Winterfell will have no choice but to believe him."

He had looked at her a moment, but nodding at her, seeing the determination in her face.

"Well, my dear," He had said. "Try and win for goodness sake."

Now, striding towards Robb, who was now passing his sword between his two hands, Zora felt her resolve crumble away a little. Then, her father caught her eye and nodded at her, and Zora felt it return. She knew she could win this, and she planned to.

She approached Robb, standing opposite him in the circle. Theon stood between them, grinning between the two of them. Robb approached as well, sword in hand. Behind her, Zerryn passed her her sword and she twisted her wrist before stopping.

Theon began to speak and the people around them quieted. "Well, here we are. Lady Zora Blackmyre of Myrewood is facing Robb Stark, future Lord of Winterfell." He paused and grinned at Zora. She just stared at him, twisting the sword in her hand again. "Unless the lady wishes to forfeit."

"You wish." Zora said, fighting back a more biting retort, and the people around her laughed. Theon just quirked his eyebrow at her before turning to Robb.

"My lord?" He asked.

Robb looked at Zora, who closed her eyes. She took a breath, abandoning her emotions, and she heard Robb say. "As the lady commands."

"Begin when ready!" Theon called, and Zora opened her eyes to find Theon had left the area, and Robb was facing her with his sword ready.

She moved her feet, beginning to circle Robb, her sword eager in her hand. He followed her movements. Her eyes flickered over his arms and hands, trying to read his movements before he made them. His face was passive and his sword was gripped tightly in his hand.

They continued their circle, neither one making the first move. The crowd around them began murmuring to themselves. Zora saw in Robb's face that he was not going to make the first move. She realized that he had not believed she would go through with his.

Heat flooded her face and suddenly she gave over to her body's instincts. She lunged at Robb. He met her thrust and stopped the blow from landing, but stepped away. She lunged again. Again he deflected her blow but didn't continue.

She thrusted lower and his sword met hers again, but this time he swung at her. Her feet moved and she crossed out of the way of his blow. She threw her sword up to meet his, and then time sped up.

Their swords kept meeting with a frenzy she had not encountered before. The metal clanged loudly through the now nearly silent courtyard. Their feet moved quickly, kicking up dirt that mixed with the sweat on their bodies.

Zora's arms grew tired from the weight of the sword. She saw on Robb's face that he was growing tired, too. But that did not stop either of them.

His sword thrusted towards her right arm, but as she moved to deflect it he feinted. As his sword flew instead to her left side, she ducked down and could hear the sword cutting the air above her. Her hair moved from the air stream.

She paused a moment, still crouching. Robb moved near her quickly, pulling his sword above his head to cut down on her.

Then she was up. Her right arm held her sword above her head, the vibrations from meeting with Robb's sword making her arm shake.

But her left hand was at Robb's throat, dagger in hand.

He recoiled from the impact of their swords, breathing heavily. Zora twisted her body, moving both her hands to better grip the two weapons she now held, ready to spring when he moved towards her again.

But he didn't. Instead he dropped his sword to the ground and said clearly: "Yield."

She dropped her stance, stunned, and the crowd around her began to applaud. She looked at Zerryn, who was grinning broadly at her, and then she glanced at her father above, who smiled at her, a twinkle in his eyes.

Then someone began speaking.

"Are you sure, my lord?" Theon said, moving from his place in the crowd.

Robb bent down and picked up his sword. He answered Theon, his voice breathless but strong. "Yes, Theon, I am sure. Lady Zora is the fiercest competitor I have ever come up against. I don't think I'll be able to move my arm much tomorrow." The crowd laughed, but Theon looked uncertain.

"But, my lord-,"

Robb held up a hand and Theon stopped speaking. "Trust me when I say," Robb said, "That Zora is all that she claimed to be." He winked at Zora before finishing. "Unless you want to try and see if you fair better than I did, Theon."

Theon blanched before responding in a shaky voice. "No, my lord, I don't think I will."

Zora couldn't help but beam at that.