A/N: The first part of this chapter is really different, and you can skip down to Lyrina's P.O.V if you want. I wanted to just put a little of what is going on around Lyrina that she does not truly know about. This chapter was a really tough one to write, only because I wanted to show what was going on with her and Robb without making it too odd.
Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or any of the characters. I own Lyrina, and my plot that is it.
Chapter 6: Love and Sacrifice.
"I will kill him, Ned. I will ride to Casterly Rock and murder the bastard." Robert Baratheon had finally lost it. He had spent weeks getting to know his daughter again after eleven years, and he had finally lost it. He had to hear her tell him of all the times Tywin fucking Lannister put his hands on her. Lyrina didn't see it as a big issue, she had been used to it, but her father was done. He was enraged and now that they would be leaving the following day he had to express his intent. Robert Baratheon was going to murder his father in law.
"Robert you will do no such thing. I can understand what your qualms with Tywin are, I understand. You need him, you need Casterly Rock. The damage has been done, act like her damn father and make sure it never happens again." Ned Stark was not going to let his king, and friend ride off to murder one of his allies. It was no secret Ned hated the Lannisters but the king needed the ally.
"I didn't protect her when she needed me. The day she was born I swore to be there for her, Ned. I should of sent someone to Casterly Rock, to bring her here."
"What's done is done."
" Will your son keep her here?"
"No, Robert. He did not tell me his reasons, but he is intending to send her with you until the time is right." Robert was thankful that he could keep his daughter. He would do everything for her at the capitol. He would be the father he wasn't to any of his other children, because their mother had already tainted them. He swore he would keep her safe this time until her betrothed can do it. Robert would protect her, and then he would entrust that Robb Stark could do the same.
Eddard Stark knew his king had finally snapped, he had seen Robert angry but this was different. Ned learned many years ago that hurting someone Robert loved would only lead to someones death. Robert started a war for the woman he loved and no doubt would start a war over his daughter. Thankfully it would never come to that, soon Lyrina would be back in Winterfell safe and sound. He knew Robb would keep Lyrina safe and he was concerned that he was not keeping her with him now. Ned knew that Kings Landing was going to be a treacherous place, and Lyrina had no place there. She was sweet, naive and emotional, everything people their would feed on.
"Robert, we will keep our children safe because it is our job."
Bran still hadn't woken up it had been almost a month since the fall and still the boy slept. His mother hadn't left his side, occasionally Lyrina would sit with her. Lyrina wanted to be there for the young man and his mother, but she was leaving soon. Lady Stark was thankful for the young girl, she was a help she didn't expect. While she was sitting there praying to the Seven, Lyrina was helping take care of her other children. She wished Lyrina could stay in Winterfell but her son had made his decision and no one could make his mind up for him.
Catelyn was very relieved that Lyrina had time at Winterfell, even if she was pretending to be someone else. She knew the girl would be good for her son, and she knew her son would be good to her. Robb had spoken to Catelyn about the betrothal shortly after learning of it himself, he said he had to talk to someone about it. Lady Catelyn listened to her son go on for almost an hour about his reasons for why he was not going to tell her, and though she did not agree it was not her place. Catelyn understood that sometimes we make personal sacrifices to make sure the ones we love are safest. And to Robb, being with her family was the safest thing for Lyrina.
Jaime Lannister had pushed an innocent child out of a window to protect the one he loved. He knew the child would die, he did not expect for him to live. But when Jaime learned that the child would survive, a slight panic set in. If the Stark child told anyone of what he saw, that would be the end of him. He would lose his sister, the woman he had loved for years. He knew it was wrong to sleep with his sister, but he did not care. She was everything to him, she was his twin, his heart, his love. They had three children together, and though the children did not know it, he treated them better then their so called father did. All but Lyrina, she was not his, it was obvious by her black hair and blue eyes where she had come from. He wanted to hate her, but he could not, she was his blood. She was the daughter of his sister, and despite looking like her father she was just as beautiful as her mother. Lyrina looked like Cersei in all but hair color and eye color, but maybe he just wasn't looking at the girls face enough.
Jaime felt kind of bad knowing he would have to ensure the boy died, his niece did seem very fond of the lad. He was not an evil man, he just did what he do for the love of his sister. He would kill a million innocent men to ensure that she stayed by his side. Love was all about sacrifice, just sometimes the sacrifice isn't your own.
Joffrey did not believe that the girl was his sister at first, she looked and acting nothing like him or his siblings. Lyrina was the only one of them to have black hair or even blue eyes, the rest were the image of their mother. Joffrey did not view her as a sister, refused to think of her as such until he learned more about her. She was a stranger to him, just a girl. He did enjoy the fact that, even though he did not consider her such, she was indeed his sister. SO when she tormented her, and he could see the fear in her eyes, he realized she would never tell. If she did tell he knew she would be afraid the tormenting would get worse, and she was right. Joffrey had plans for the girl, many plans. He could grow to love his new little sister.
Lyrina's P.O.V
Days all began to blend together after Bran's fall. Lyrina spent most of her days with him, sitting in silence with Lady Stark. When she was not with the young boy, Lyrina found herself with the other young Stark children and her own siblings. They would be returning to south in one more day, and she wanted time with everyone before she left. Though her days were filled with the children and sometimes her own family, her nights were all together different. After the kids would go to bed Lyrina would find herself outside with mostly Jon, but they were occasionally joined by Robb and Theon. The group would just talk, and laugh on the memories they shared at Winterfell. Lyrina was going to miss it more than she was willing to admit to them.
When it came time for bed, Lyrina never found herself alone. Every night since the fall Arya would find her way into her room, sleeping soundly beside Lyrina. When Arya had safely fallen asleep, Robb would sneak in and lay beside Lyrina. The two would talk for hours until she fell asleep in his arms. Each night Lyrina felt something grow between the two of them, but she had no words to describe it.
That too was coming to end, because by tomorrow Lyrina would be gone. She sat there looking at Bran, clutching his hand knowing she would be gone tomorrow. He hadn't woken up yet, and it broke her heart. Lady Stark was a shell of the woman Lyrina had grown to consider a mother, she was just so distraught. She sat there everyday for almost a month with the woman, praying but nothing helped.
Lyrina was about to excuse herself to check on the other children when her mother came in, dressed in a fine dress. Lyrina had barley spoke to her mother in the last month since she had come here, she talked to everyone but her mother. Lyrina spent an hour a day with her father, even got to know her uncles and was always with her younger siblings. She just could not bring herself to look at her mother.
Lyrina sat there looking down at Bran as her mother began to speak of her first born son, Lyrina knew the tale. Her father had told her of it when she was young, when Lyrina was sad that she didn't look like Joffrey. He told her of how the babe was just like her, a small child with blue eyes and black hair but he died. He died in her mothers arms, and as Lyrina heard the tale from her mothers mouth she almost felt bad for the woman. She had lost her first child, Lyrina could not begin to imagine the pain. Was that the true reason her mother didn't want her around? Not because she looked like her father, but the child she had lost.
"Mother, wait a moment." Lyrina kissed Bran on the forehead and went to follow her mother from the room. She had to go see the other children anyway, but she wanted to speak to her mother.
"Yes, my fawn, what can I do for you." She was calling her the name her father called her. Was it a way to get back at him, or a way to get close to her. Lyrina didn't care at the moment.
"I am sorry, about my brother. I could never imagine what that felt like for you, and I am sorry." But her mother just gave her a weak smile, and touched Lyrina's face.
"I have you and my other children, love. I am grateful for that, do not fret."
After checking on the children in their lessons Lyrina made her way to the Godswood, she would pray for Bran. It was quiet there, peaceful and devoid of people to bother her. She sat down in front of the Heart tree and began to pray to the Seven. She never really prayed to the old Gods, though most of the North still do. She prayed for Bran and Lady Stark she prayed they would soon find peace. She prayed for Jon, and how she wanted him to be safe at the wall. She prayed for Robb, prayed he could lead Winterfell as a strong man should. She prayed for the journey to the south, she prayed she would not hate it there. She prayed that one day, one day she could come back to Winterfell and never leave.
"Sister, what are you doing out here alone?" Lyrina held her breath and didn't make a move to look at him, he had not left her alone in days. It was bad enough that soon she would spend a month on the road with the vile beast, but he would not allow her to enjoy her time here. "Sister, I am speaking to you." His voice was getting harsh.
"My dear brother, I am praying." She still did not look to him, just kept her eyes closed and head bent. He should have been taught better than to interrupt someone while they were in the Godswood, though she was slowly learning he didn't know much of etiquette.
"I wanted to spend time with, you are always with the Starks."
"That is because I am leaving soon, brother." She didn't mean to be rude, she was tired and drained from the weeks of being by Bran's side. She did not want to anger her brother, but she was angry herself. To her dismay he didn't leave just sighed and continued to stand there. She really just wanted a minute to herself but he couldn't give her that.
"I know but soon these people won't matter to you. In kings Landing you will have to be a princess, not a bastards whore." He was standing behind her know, spitting words of venom at her. If she wasn't so frighten by his tone she would have said something back. Jon may be a bastard but he was better than Joffrey. Lyrina just stayed quiet again, praying to the seven that he would leave her in peace.
He didn't leave her in peace, in fact he did the exact opposite of leaving her in peace. As Lyrina was praying she felt a light tug on her hair and before she could question it, she was being pulled to her feet by her hair.
"Sister you would do well to listen to your older brother." Lyrina was facing Joffrey with tears in her eyes, why did he have to be so cruel.
"I am sorry, Joffrey." She felt for a moment that she had never left Casterly Rock, she felt trapped all over again.
"You are much too pretty for a bastard, Lyrina. Does he fuck you?" Lyrina felt disgusted as Joffrey placed his fingers on her chin lifting her head to look at him. He was disgusting and vile, but all her mother saw was the sweet boy he pretended to be. Lyrina had seen him with Sansa, so sweet and gentle to her but Lyrina knew differently. Lyrina didn't say anything just looked at him in fear.
"What is going on here? Joffery, have you given your regards to Lord and Lady Stark yet? If not you better go do it now, and be polite." Lyrina let out a sigh of relief when joffere let her go. Her uncle Tyrion had come by, saving her from whatever sick thing her brother was going to do. Joffrey cast her one more glance before she watched him exit the Godswood.
Once he was gone Lyrina felt herself begin to shake, she was so angry and scared. She wished she could have hit him, slapped him right across the face but she couldn't.
"Lyrina, are you alright?" She turned to face her uncle. He was a kind man, and he had spoken to her a few times over the last few weeks. He was different from her mother and her other Lannister family, he was kind. He had a great wit about him, and was very smart, she was very envious of his intelligence.
"I will be alright, Uncle. You know how Joffrey can get." Lyrina tried to laugh it off.
"Indeed, I do. That does not make what he does right, he is a prick." Lyrina laughed at her uncle, he had no issue speaking his mind. She remembered him from Casterly Rock, though back then she did not they were even related. They had never spoken, but she could not forget a man such as him.
"I know you would normally walk with your father, but I over heard him talking very loudly with Lord Stark. Would you mind if I took you for a walk instead?" What could her father be yelling at Lord Stark for?
Despite the pit in her stomach Lyrina agreed, after her encounter with Joffrey she did not want to be alone. So they walked through the Godswood, mostly talking about what it would be like in Kings Landing. He told her of the city, with all the large amounts of different people, he mentioned a few brothels as well. Lyrina had learned her uncle enjoyed his whores while they were speaking previously, it still unnerved her to talk of. Her father liked his whores as well, could no man be faithful?
"I will be riding north to see the Nights Watch with your friend Snow. I hear he is not very talkative, is that true?"
"Jon? I find him to be very talkative,well at least with me and his younger siblings. I suppose he is picky." Lyrina smiled at the thought of Jon, she was going to miss him. They had been talking each night about all the things they would do when she forced him to visit her.
"Well I hope so, it shall be a long trip and I do not want to be bored. I doubt we will be stopping at any brothels."
"Do you think of anything beyond women and wine, my lord?"
"I enjoy other things, but I do very much enjoy the company of women." Lyrina couldn't help but think of Theon. She knew he also found a lot of comfort with the women at the brothel, which was fine for him. She began to wonder if Robb had ever slept with a whore, she never bothered to ask him. She was sure he hadn't, or she hoped he hadn't.
She continued to talk to her uncle about Jon, and the friendship she shared with him. She told him how much she would miss Jon, she knew there would be no one in the capitol like him except maybe Arya. Jon was a stable part of Lyrina's life, he had been her rock for four years. She could not imagine what she would do without him in the capitol. If she had stayed in Winterfell she could see herself becoming just as close with Robb, but they didn't have nearly enough time for that. To top it off Lyrina had become very confused about Robb in the last few days, she was sure she could never see him as she saw Jon.
"I am going to miss this place." Lyrina mused out loud as they entered the courtyard, she really was going to miss it.
"I am sure you will be back here before you know it. I am sure running away is not out of your scope." Tyrion winked at her and she laughed. That was true, Lyrina already had a plan to leave Kings Landing if she had to. She wasn't dumb, but she was not going to leave unless she had to. Lyrina wanted to be with her father, and younger siblings. Myrcella was a sweet child, and Tommen was the exact opposite of their older brother.
"I will come back in some way, even just to visit. I will need to see Bran after he wakes up after all."
"When I stop back on my way south, I will make sure I tell him hello from you." Lyrina was glad, at least her uncle was nice to her.
They continued to walk and talk a little longer, getting to know each other more. But before long Lyrina was running off to find Jon before the last big feast in the kings name. She had convinced Lady Stark to let him come, it took a lot of pleading, and saying he would not stay the whole night. She knew that Lady Stark only agreed because she herself would not be in attendance.
Lyrina scoured the entire castle grounds but she could not find Jon anywhere. She wanted to see if he was still going to escort her to the feast, but without finding him she would just have to trust he would. Lyrina looked for Robb and Theon, she figured if she could not find Jon those two would know where he was,but they too were missing. Lyrina did not have time to worry about it she had to meet Sansa to get ready. She had promised the girl that they could get together in Lyrina's room and help each other get ready. Lyrina was not much for the primping process but Sansa was, and so Lyrina promised to help her.
Both girls had plans to wear the dress Robb had gotten each of them. Robb bought one for Lyrina after their horrid argument, it was beautiful and Lyrina's favorite dress. Sansa had been given one by her brother to take to Kings Landing, as a gift to remember him by. Both dresses were similar, simple and looked beautiful on the girls, but Cersei had a different plan for Lyrina.
When her father had demanded they stop at Casterly Rock on the way back to Kings Landing originally, her mother got her so called measurements from her grandfather to make her a dress. Lyrina did not know where her grandfather had pulled these measurements from but he was not far off. Cersei brought the dress to Winterfell, and now that Lyrina was there her mother demanded she wear it to the last feast. At first, Lyrina could celebrate the fact that the dress was far to big in certain areas, but her mother had that rectified. Now she would have to wear a dress not much suited for Winterfell.
She needed help getting dressed, and of course her mother already had a handmaiden waiting for her in her chambers. Lyrina was not ready for the treatment of being a princess. She asked the handmaiden to leave, telling her that Lady Sansa would be in shortly to help her get ready. Upon hearing that the young lady of Winterfell would be joining them, Val the handmaiden begged to stay and help both girls get ready.
"I have been dying to meet the girl that would be wed to Prince Joffrey, please Princess." Val was such a sweet girl, other than their one previous encounter Lyrina had seen her about the castle. She was nice to everyone, and so Lyrina felt if she denied the girl she would be crushed. So Val got to stay and help the two girls get ready.
Just as Lyrina had finished bathing Sansa came in to her room, her hair still wet from her own bath and her pink dress in her hand. Lyrina smiled at the girl and began to help her get dressed, the dress, Lyrina had to admit looked beautiful on the girl. Sansa was always so pretty, her red hair, blue eyes and pale skin, she was someone Lyrina herself was envious of.
"Joffrey will think you look beautiful, My Lady." Val was comforting a panicked Sansa who did not think Joffrey would like the dress. Lyrina did not care if Joffrey liked it, she wished Joffrey would deny marrying Sansa. Sansa deserved happiness with a real man, not her horrid brother. As Val spoke to Sansa, Lyrina did Sansa's hair. At first Lyrina had no clue what to do, but then the young girl just asked for two simple braids on either side, which Lyrina could manage. Once she was all done, Lyrina smiled admiring the young girl.
"You look stunning, Sansa." The young girl blushed but quickly rushed Lyrina into her dress. Lyrina could not deny the dress her mother had given her was beautiful, it was red and soft but it was not meant for Winterfell. As they helped tie the dress,Lyrina looked down with shock. The way the dress was cut, and how tight the dress was, made her small breasts were very prominent. She was surprised her mother would put her in such a dress, she could feel herself blush.
"Please someone say that can fix this." Lyrina looked to Val who had stepped in front of her to look at the dress.
"It fits you beautifully, princess." No No No. Lyrina did not want the dress, it was too much for her and she wanted to tear it off of her. She was no stranger to dresses flattering her body, but none that were so low cut. Lyrina did not have much to show, but what little she did have she kept hidden.
"I look like.." She did not want to say she looked like a whore, but she sure as seven hells felt like one. Sansa just stood there telling Lyrina she looked pretty, and not to worry about it. She was going to worry about it, everyone would stare at her.
Before Lyrina could convince someone to take it off of her Val was opening the door to reveal Joffrey. Lyrina felt her stomach turn as she stood there facing her brother, after what happened earlier on she did not want to see him.
"You look lovely,sister." His tone disgusted her, and she felt her skin crawl as his eyes raked down her body. He was vile, he was evil but the second he saw Sansa, Lyrina saw the switch in him. He went from vile, to sweet as candy. He told Sansa how beautiful she was, called her his sweetling, and very kindly escorted her out of the room. Lyrina could not stand him, but at least he was nice to Sansa, at least he did not look at her like she was meat. Val had continued to try and calm Lyrina down but it was not working, she felt horrible in the dress.
When Lyrina answered the next knock on her chamber door, she was greeted by Jon. She could not help but smile at the sight of him but she saw his face to turn red as his eyes looked down. Lyrina crossed her arms over her chest and felt her own face turn red.
"Jon, I know it is horrible, please look at my face." Jon coughed and looked back at Lyrina with a small smile.
"You look nice." She could hear the struggle in his voice, she needed this night to end.
When they entered the hall Lyrina could feel everyone staring at them and she just wanted to hide. How could her mother put her in this dress, everyone would be thinking horrid things about her. Jon took her hand and lead her to the table at which his brother and Theon Greyjoy were sitting comfortably. The moment Lyrina sat down she saw Theon's eyes go straight for her chest causing her to rush to cover herself.
"Nice breas.. dress." Lyrina saw Robb jab Theon in the ribs to stop him from saying what he meant to. Lyrina gave Robb a thankful look, her face still red from before. She hated the attention she was getting from Theon's gaze, and she could still feel some people staring at her. Lyrina wanted to crawl under the table and hide, but she feared even that would raise more questions than answers.
As she sat there eating with the men, she could hear her fathers booming voice come from his table. Almost everyone in the hall stopped speaking as her father continued his yelling, Lyrina did not know who he was yelling at until she dared turn around. Her father was up from his chair and screaming at some poor innocent boy holding a letter in his hand. Her mother seemed to be trying to calm him down, but he just raised his voice at her too. Lyrina did not know what was going on but she knew it was bad if her father was causing such a scene.
"Well on that note, Lyrina, dance with me." It was not a question, or an invitation, Robb was telling her. She took his hand as he lead her to a space large enough for them to dance together.
He pulled her close and she felt herself blush once more, she really needed to stop that. Robb had one hand on her waist the other one was holding her own hand gently. She felt at peace as they dance, the sound of father yelling slowly faded away.
"I told you we would dance together one day." Lyrina just wished it would have been sooner. She regretted that she had not connected with Robb sooner, and now she feared it would be too late.
The pair danced closely for a while, Lyrina enjoying being so close to Robb. Every time she looked at him in the eye he looked back at her with a smile.
"I have something for you." He finally whispered after minuted of silence, lyrina just looked at him with confusion. "Turn around for me, don't worry."
She slowly turned around and was not once again facing the table where Jon sat. She looked at him with confusion as he just smiled at her, he clearly knew something. Without warning Robb placed his hands in front of her and placed something on her neck. She did not look down until she felt him securely clasp the necklace closed.
She looked down to see a necklace with two animals facing away from each other, one was a fawn, the other a wolf. She turned to look at him and he was smiling happily at her.
"What?" Was really all she could muster up. She did not understand why he was giving her an necklace or anything for that matter. They had not fought, he had no reason to apologize to her.
"I would have put a stag, but you are not much of a stag, and well the wolf is obvious. It is just something to help you remember that you are not just a Baratheon. Of course, and to remember me by." She just hugged him, she did not know what else to do. He had put so much thought and effort into getting her something to take with her to Kings Landing.
"Thank you, Robb, I don't know what to say."
"Just promise that you will still be wearing it next time I see you."
"I promise."
They finished dancing and he walked her back to the table so he could drink some wine. Lyrina laughed as he filled a cup up, while she herself steered clear of the wine this time. Arya came over begging to see what Robb had given her, and she gladly showed the little girl the necklace. Arya hugged Lyrina telling her she was just like a sister, before running off again. Lyrina felt herself wanting to stay even more, no one was making it easy for her.
She knew she would have Arya, Sansa and Lord Stark with her, but it would not be the same. Could she chase Arya around Kings Landing like she did at Winterfell, could she secretly learn to shoot without being noticed? She would not just be a simple girl in Kings Landing she would be a princess, someone the people would know. She did not want that.
"Lyrina, I am going to miss you." Lyrina looked up in shock when Theon spoke. They were never close, she saw him for what he was. He was an arrogant prick who just loved fucking women.
"I will miss you too, Theon. You better be nice to the boys while I am gone. I don't want to hear from Robb that you are picking on my little friends." Theon raised his glass to her and took another sip of his wine. As she looked around the room she felt sadder, imaging it would be the last time she would be here.
"Is it my turn to dance?" Jon asked lyrina.
Jon took her in his arms and danced with her. It was different then when she danced with Robb, this was fun and carefree. Jon spun her around and they danced not caring who was staring at them. He made her forget about how the dress was uncomfortable, he made her forget that tomorrow they would be gone. He was always good at making Lyrina see the good in things, the good in everything.
"He cares for you, you know." Lyrina didn't know who Jon was talking about. Did he mean Theon? She didn't answer, didn't say anything really she just kept dancing with him until she had to sit down. When they returned to their table they noticed the other two were gone. Lyrina had no idea where Robb and Theon had gone off to, but she could not let that ruin her night. She sat at the table with Jon, eating and talking about everything. Jon told her about his uncle, and how they were to ride to Castle Black together. He was so excited and Lyrina could read it on his face, she was happy for him. He was getting what he wanted, getting what he needed. She was headed toward something she did not want, something she was sure she didn't need either.
Soon Lyrina found she needed air, she felt like she was suffocating in a room full of people. For an hour everyone was coming up to her telling her they were going to miss her. Her own little brother and sister were begging for her attention before she shooed them off to bed. Lyrina just wanted some small peace before she herself needed to head up to bed. So she told Jon she needed to go for a small walk before she excused herself.
The night was chilly but Lyrina did not mind, soon she would somewhere way too warm for her liking. She enjoyed the cold at Winterfell, she enjoyed everything about Winterfell. She found herself walking among the kennels, the stables, and just anywhere she wanted to ingrain into her memory. She would be gone from her before she knew it. Lyrina was on her way back to her chamber when someone grabbed her hand.
"Sister, I was hoping we could speak." Lyrina felt the blood rush from her body, she felt numb
"Joffrey, I was actually on my way to bed." Please, leave me be.
"It will only take a moment. Come on look at me." Lyrina turned around to face her brother. She just wanted to be rid of him. She felt like he was playing some sick little game with her, and she felt helpless to stop it.
"What can I do for you, brother?" He was raking his eyes down her body again, causing her to cross her arms over her chest. He was not being subtle and it chilled Lyrina to the core. He took a step closer to her but she did not back down, not this time.
"I saw you dancing with the bastard,sister."
"Jon, his name is Jon, and he happens to be my best friend." She did not know where her new found confidence came from but she liked it. Joffrey didn't say a word to her, just kept staring at her. He was coming closer and this time she backed away there was something in his eyes that unsettled her.
"You never did answer my question,my dear sister. Does he fuck you?" The young prince spit the words at her like venom. Lyrina stood there for a moment just glaring at him with disdain. Lyrina was getting so fed up with him, she just wanted to enjoy the last night she had here. He had the rest of their lives to torment her, he should have at least given her the time here. She was sick of him.
"Fuck off." Lyrina surprised even herself as the words came out of her mouth. She looked to her brother horrified of what he was going to say, or do. But to her surprise he just smirked looking at her with a sick glint in his eyes. He still did not say anything just kept grazing his eyes down her body. Lyrina was not going to stand there and let that happen any longer. She turned to leave, but once again the man grabbed her arm stopping her.
"I am not done yet."
"I am, now let me go." She was fed up, and felt a new fire in her. The fire died quick when he grabbed her by her shoulders so she was facing him. Joffrey did not let go, he held tightly to her shoulders and Lyrina began to panic. Any fire she had inside her slowly died by the cold look in her brother's eyes.
"I said I am not done talking to you." Lyrina kept her mouth shut, she did not wish to anger him anymore. "I bet he did fuck you, and the other ones did too. Are you the personal Stark whore, sister?"
Lyrina could not understand why he was so cruel to her, she had done nothing to him. She did not even really remember him from childhood, she was a stranger to him. Why would he treat her this way.
"Please, I just want to sleep." She was quiet, scared.
"You can sleep after." He began to step closer to her again, and Lyrina didn't know what to do. As he came closer she backed away, she was not going to let him touch her again. She turned to look behind her for a moment, and saw she had a clear path to the door to the castle.
Without thinking Lyrina bunched up her dress and took off toward the castle doors, she knew once she inside he could not touch her. When she reached the door she looked back to see him standing where she had left him, a smile on his face. She could not shake the chills she felt over take her body, she just wanted to get to sleep.
Lyrina felt safe the moment she laid down in her bed, the night was finally over. She had not wished for it to end with an encounter with her brother, but it was done. Soon she would fall asleep and be off in the morning. She looked around her room, everything of value was already packed away and on a cart. She left some dresses hanging and a stack of books on her desk, she would not need them in Kings Landing. Lyrina felt tears come to her eyes as she thought about leaving, it was the hardest thing she would have to do.
Part of Lyrina thought about leaving with them, but running off in the middle of the night back to Winterfell. Would Robb and Lady Stark allow her to stay, or would they have sent her back? The only thing truly stopping Lyrina from following out that plan was her family, mostly her father and younger siblings. She had grown so close to her father again, he was such a sweet man to her, she knew he was a drunk, unfaithful ass but she still loved her father. She wanted to be there with him, even just for a little while. Leaving Winterfell, leaving the only place she was willing to call a home, was torture. She was thankful that she would not be alone in it, but it still stung.
"Lyrina, are you still awake?" Her chamber door was opened slightly and Robb ducked his head inside.
"I am." She did not expect him to come, she was leaving so early in the morning she did not expect he would make the visit.
Robb slipped into her room and locked the door, a routine they had both gotten used to over the weeks. Lyrina would never tell anyone, but the late night visits she had with Robb meant a lot to her. She told him things she had trouble telling anyone, even sometimes Jon. Robb took his normal spot in the bed next to her, and she smiled over at him.
"Sorry I disappeared from the feast, my father wanted to discuss something with me."
"Is everything alright?"
"Of course, just some last minute discussions." Lyrina nodded, she could imagine it was hard for Lord Stark to leave Winterfell right now. His son lay unable to wake, his wife was broken and he had to leave two of his other sons at Winterfell. Lyrina was surprised he was even going, but he always seemed to be bound to her father.
The two began to talk like they always did, speaking on everything. Robb told her of how much Winterfell wouldn't be the same without her and the girls. Lyrina listened as Robb just went on, he seemed nervous as he rambled on. She was usually the one talking but he just kept going. He told her of how much he would miss Jon, and how he wished he was staying in Winterfell. She could tell Robb was not ready to lead Winterfell, even if his mother was still there. He was still young, and he would have so much responsibility. Lyrina knew he could handle it, and if he could handle that she could try handling being a princess.
"I am scared." When there was a pause in Robb's rambling Lyrina spoke.
"Of what?"
"Going south, my brother, everything." As she spoke she shifted her position of laying next to Robb, to laying her head on his chest. She had never done it before but she just wanted to be close to him. Robb did not skip a beat wrapping an arm around her.
"Lyrina, you will be safe there. I promise you,being with your family is the safest place for you." She heard the conviction in his voice, but she felt a slight waver in it. He didn't trust her family, she knew that. "If I could have you stay here I would, but your family needs you."
"Would you really let me stay if you could? Do you promise?"
"I promise, but Lyrina if you run away I can not let you stay here. You know you need to be in the south right now." She looked up at him sadly, he just gave her a small smile. He promised if he could, he would let her stay. Why couldn't she stay? She laid there just listening to his heart beat wondering what it would have been like if they had gotten close sooner. Lyrina could only imagine what her relationship with Robb would have been if she wasn't always tense around him, and he didn't treat like a child.
"Lyrina, what would you say if I told you that in a year you could come back?" Lyrina picked her head up and looked at Robb in shock.
"I would say that sounds wonderful."
"Well, I promise you right now that after your sixteenth name day you can come back and never have to leave." Lyrina wanted to cry, but instead she just laid her head back on his chest. Just one year, she had to make it just one year. She could do that, she could last a year in Kings Landing. The days would fly by with her siblings, and Arya.
"But my father, and mother would they allow it?"
"You're father has already agreed to Lyrina, you can come back to Winterfell in a year." Robb's voice was soft and he begun to play with her hair. She felt so safe, so happy in that moment. He was such a gentle man. They spoke some more on the matter, but he would not go in to detail of why she could come back but she could not stay now. Lyrina was just so excited that soon she could come back to Winterfell.
As they laid there Robb asked her to look out for Arya and Sansa, he did not trust her family. Lyrina knew that he had no trust in her family, and she could understand his concern for Sansa. Joffrey was a vile thing, and they day he hurts Sansa would be his last day alive. Lyrina knew her brother hurting her was something she could not bring herself to stop, but she swore he would never hurt Sansa. Robb would not be in Kings Landing, and someone had to take care of them. She told Robb she would do anything for his sisters, that over the years they too have become family to her.
"Robb, I still want to thank you for the necklace, it is a very sweet combination of our houses."
"It is more than that, little fawn." Lyrina looked at him again in shock. Her father called her that, now her mother was calling her that but she did not expect Robb to call her that.
"Really, Robb?"
"I think it is a silly name, but it fits you. Do you mind if I call you it sometimes?" She couldn't help but smile.
"Well if I am the fawn, does that make you the wolf?" She knew he was already a wolf. His smile sometimes gave that away, he was honorable, dutiful and could be ferocious when he needed to be. All the Starks embodied the wolf. Robb just winked at her causing Lyrina to blush and bury her face in his chest. Once again she just laid there listening to breathing, while he played with her hair calming down. Lyrina could feel herself drifting off to sleep, she did not want to sleep she wanted to stay like this with Robb.
"Stay the night."
"Lyrina, you know I can't."
"The door is locked I do not care. No one will come in,please."
"Lyrina, everyone will think I.."
"Hush, I do not care what that think. Please, just stay." She felt her eyes closing and her voice fading off. She was falling asleep, and she just prayed he would stay with her. She could feel him shift into a comfortable position, before slowly everything faded and she entered a world of dreams.
Lyrina was not surprised when she woke up alone,sad, but not surprised. She had no idea if Robb had stayed or left when she was fully asleep. She could not deny that laying there with Robb made her realize something, something she had wished she realized sooner.
She had not time to lay in bed imaging all the things she and Robb could have been,she had too much to do. Lyrina dressed in her riding clothes, thankful that no one demanded she wore a dress. As she dressed she could not shake the events of last night, he had been so close to her. That was the first and only night she had laid so close to him, and at the time she didn't feel phased by it. Soon though it was all she could think about, he was all she could think about.
After dressing, and getting herself ready for the long journey Lyrina made her way down to breakfast. She noticed that no one was at the tables eating, and she began to wonder if she was late for breakfast. Not thinking too much Lyrina grabbed her food, and took a few sips of water before heading to Bran's room. It did not matter if she was late, she needed to say goodbye to the boy.
Lyrina passed Jon on the way who just looked at her with sadness. Lyrina wondered if he too had been saying goodbye to Bran. When Lyrina got to the room Lord Stark was leaving, and Lady Stark sat crying next to the bed. She was quiet when she entered she did not wish to disturb the woman. Lyrina knelt down next to the bed and took Bran's hand in her own.
"I have to go today, I am headed back to my home. I am going to miss you, Bran. Who else is going to be my personal guard, so you are going to need to get better. I am going to need you to wake up so you can come protect me. I love you Bran, you need to be strong. I know you can get through this, I know you can." Lyrina stood up and kissed the young boy's head. She did not want to cry, Lady Stark had enough sadness to deal with.
"You will be missed, Lyrina. Winterfell will always be a home to you." Lady Stark did not look up,but Lyrina heard the love in her voice.
"Thank you, Lady Stark. I will make sure Arya stays out of trouble, and I will try to watch out for Sansa as well. Goodbye, and I will keep praying for Bran." Lyrina smiled at the woman before walking out the door. She said her farewells to Maester Luwin and Ser Rodrik before going off to find the youngest Stark child. Rickon was in his room sitting on his bed when Lyrina found him, she could tell he was unhappy. She spoke to him, tried to tell him that they would all be safe. She told him that they would write and soon when he was bigger he could visit that seemed to cheer him up a little.
Once she was sure she said all her farewells inside she went outside, where she knew Robb and Theon would be. They were the last two people she needed to say goodbye to, besides Jon.
She went up to Theon and just said goodbye, it was simple. Theon on the other hand pulled the girl into his arms, causing Lyrina to stiffen. Theon never showed her any kind of affection, outside of sexual advances. She just hugged him back lightly before stepping away from him.
"Bloody Princess" Lyrina laughed, that was the Theon she knew. She moved on from him to give Robb a hug goodbye. As he held her against his body Lyrina smiled to herself, and felt tears threaten to fall from her eyes.
"I promise." Is all he whispered before letting her go. She smiled at him and walked off to where Jon was waiting with her horse. He was standing among the rest of the traveling party, which Lyrina realized for the first time was quite larger.
"I am going to miss you, Lyrina." Jon hugged her tight and she hugged back not wanting to let go of him. As they hugged she began to let the tears she held back fall.
"It isn't going to be the same without you. I am going to miss you so much. If I don't get a least a few ravens a month I am going to ride to the wall and find you." She was so worried about him, but she knew he could defend himself. Jon just laughed as he hugged her, she felt so small in his arms. She could tell people were beginning to whisper about how long their hug had gone on, but she did not care. He was going to the wall, where monsters and wild people lived, she would hug him as long she saw fit. Jon eventually did let go and began to stare at something behind her. Lyrina turned to see what he was staring at, and it was just Robb standing there watching them.
She stared at Robb and he just stared back at her, their blues eyes meeting with sadness. Lyrina got lost in his eyes for a moment, and everything she thought about earlier came rushing back. She had such strong emotions regarding Robb Stark, and she was just going to let them fade away. She stood there for a moment, before her body told her to move and she ran toward him. She practically threw herself into his arms and hugged him tight. She was still crying, and he just held her close to him like he did the night before.
He eventually let her go and for a moment they stood there staring at each other. She knew she had to leave, that everyone was waiting for her to leave. Robb looked down at her with a smile, she wished she could smile back, she felt like she was breaking.
"I.." She did not get to finish her sentence because Robb took her face in his hands before he kissed her on the lips. Lyrina's eyes went wide for a moment before she closed her eyes and kissed him back lightly. She had never kissed anyone before, nor did she think he would be someone she would ever kiss.
"I will see you in a year,go be safe." That was all he said. He didn't explain the kiss, didn't say anything else. She stood there for a moment shocked, wanting to kiss him again but she didn't. She turned away from him and got onto her horse.
"I told you he cared for you." Was all Jon said as the two of them rode off joining the rest of the group. As they rode out of Winterfell, Lyrina looked back promising herself that she would be back before she knew it.
A/N: I know it is cheesy, I know. But I needed them to have some romantic thing before she left. Also the next chapter will be mostly his point of view.
