Another update woot! I wrote this in the span of a couple hours, so it's kind of short. But quality, not quantity, right?
Things should really start to unravel and speed up, probably starting with next chapter.
As always, thanks for reading/faving/subscribing aaaaand reviewing!
Until next time!
Enjoy!
Elira
She put the last of her things in her trunk and closed it with a deep sigh. On the bed, Ned and Lyanna squirmed and made gurgling sounds to one another. Elira smiled tiredly and kissed each of their foreheads. They were only a week old, and they were already going to have to travel. She felt terrible for making the tiny babes travel, but she couldn't stay here a moment longer.
She'd gotten Robb's letter a couple days ago, and had cried herself to sleep that night. They were worlds apart; she almost regretted going to the Wall. Gods, he hadn't even been there for the birth of their babes! He's fighting a war. He's going to miss a lot more than that.
A quiet knock at the door tore her away from her thoughts. Ned began to cry at the sudden noise. Sighing, Elira picked him up and gently rocked him back and forth in her arms. His pudgy fingers played with the ends of her hair, tugging insistently. "It's open," she threw over her shoulder. Ned continued to cry, reaching for her chest.
"My lady." Lyra curtsied, closing the door behind her.
"Good morning." Elira nodded to the girl. She bared her breast for the babe, who sucked eagerly. Lyanna, the quieter of the two, was still lying on the bed, her eyelids drooping closed.
"My lady, I have a...request, of some sorts," Lyra said nervously, wringing her hands together.
"Go ahead," Elira pressed. She had come to like the Lannister girl; she had helped her out with the twins throughout the week she'd been here, and she was always good for a laugh.
"I wish to accompany you and Jon South," Lyra declared, dropping to her knees. She bowed her head in respect, her hands clenching at her sides. "I would swear to protect you at all costs, fight for you in battles, and at any time else, should it come to that."
Ned finished, and Elira adjusted his position to let his head rest on her shoulder. "Does this have anything to do with your feelings for my good-brother?" She didn't tell Lyra about Jon's alleged betrothal to the Frey girl; hell, she didn't even tell Jon yet. She still had a hard time wrapping her own head around it.
"I suppose that's a part of it," Lyra admitted. Elira appreciated her honesty; they'd gotten off on the wrong foot, but Lyra was still incredibly loyal and protective over her and her babes.
"I should quite like to hear the other reasons," Elle told her, putting Ned back on the bed next to his sister. She tied up her gown and smoothed out all the wrinkles in it. "And please, you may get up. I consider you a friend now. No need for courtesies."
"Of course, my lady," Lyra mumbled, pushing herself back to her feet. She cleared her throat and kept her eyes downcast. "I know the Lannisters better than any of your husband's bannermen. I would offer my...insight, if you will."
"You'll have to gain my husband's trust," Elle warned. "It won't be an easy feat." She knew he'd give her hell for bringing back a Lannister, but she would just use Jon and Arya's betrothals against him. She loved Robb, but he was too naïve sometimes.
"I'm aware of that," Lyra replied, not unkindly. "It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"You love my good-brother, don't you?" Elira smiled, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Lyra's cheek twitched. "I suppose I do." She gnawed on her bottom lip. "He was my first friend here. He helped me through everything."
Elle carded her fingers through the furs on the bed. "Have you spoken to the Lord Commander about this? Leaving, I mean."
"I have, my lady. He said he would lose a great ranger, but he would not stop me from leaving."
Elira stood up, squaring her shoulders. "Lyra Lannister, I would name you my sworn shield."
Lyra went down to her knees once more. "It is an honor I am not worthy of, my lady."
"If you weren't worthy, I would not think to give you this honor," Elira countered smoothly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Pack your things and meet us in the courtyard at noon. We shall begin our journey South today."
Elira, Jon and Lyra rode out of the courtyard, with Ghost padding along beside them, leaving Castle Black behind for good. Ned and Lyanna gurgled questioningly as they bounced in the sling Elle had around her body. Thankfully, it wasn't snowing, and it wasn't terribly cold, either. She knew that their journey would be prolonged because of the babes, with their frequent stops and whatnot.
Matthew, her squire, rode up to the three, his eyes widening with every step his horse took. "My lady, have the negotiations went as planned?" His eyes darted back and forth from Lyra to the babes.
"That they have," Elle responded, her patience with him wearing thin. If they hadn't, would you see Jon and I together? "Tell the lads to pack their things. They are to move into Castle Black now. Lord Commander Mormont is waiting."
"Y-yes, my lady. Of course, my lady," Matthew babbled. He turned his horse around and shouted commands to the hundred boys. Enjoying giving orders, hmm? Poor sap. You'll soon learn your place. She reminded herself to be more stern with the squire.
"Have you sent Lord Robb a raven to tell him that we're on our way?" Matthew asked once he took his place next to Elira.
She ground her teeth together and took a deep breath. "I would, but I know not where he is. He and his men move more and more south each day." She spurred her horse to move a bit faster, not wanting to talk to the squire any longer.
"R-right. My mistake, my lady." His cheeks flushed a dark red. Robb, we're going to have a talk about Matthew when we see each other again.
Jon rode up next to Elle, a smirk on his face. "You could try to be nicer to him, you know." He nodded subtly to Matthew, who was several paces back, chatting to a very annoyed Lyra.
"I think I'm entitled to dislike someone." She pursed her lips, watching him out of the corner of her eye.
"Seeing as you're Lady of Winterfell, I'm inclined to agree with you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I've learned to respect and obey my superiors." He laughed.
"Shut up!"
"As my lady commands." He stuck his tongue out at her, a teasing glint in his dark eyes.
"Where did you get that sword?" she asked, changing the topic. The pommel was a carved direwolf, white with red gems for eyes.
"Lord Commander Mormont gave it to me." The amusement was gone from his voice. "For saving his life. It's been in his family for generations. Longclaw, the Mormonts call it."
She nodded sharply, swallowing thickly. "I'm proud of you, Jon." He only nodded.
Lyra spurred her horse forward, joining Elira at the front of the small group. "Have you gone deaf yet?" Elle teased, slowing down to allow the Lannister girl to catch up. "He's been chatting your ear off for the past three hours. I can hear him all the way from here."
"Jon offered to take over squire duty for awhile," Lyra spat, visibly seething. "Why'd you pick him?"
Elira sighed. "Believe me, I didn't choose him. Robb made him come with me. Said I needed 'protection' or some bullocks reason like that." Her lips twisted into a frown. "I suppose it was sweet of him. And Matthew has good intentions. He's just a young lad; most are like that."
"And that's the reason why I hate most young lads," Lyra shot back. "Too much energy and excitement. Cocky, too."
"So that's why you like grown men," Elira joked, nodding towards Jon. She always made fun of his constant proclamations of him being 'a man grown'. Jon Snow, the fact that you have to do that means you're just another lad. "He was always quiet. Even with his family. Even with me," And we're supposed to be best friends.
"I like that he's quiet," Lyra murmured. "It's…relaxing. Refreshing, I guess. You never see that solemn attitude with boys like him." She shifted in the saddle. "I like spending time with him."
Elira laughed, and the babes attempted to imitate the noise from their place in the sling. "Lyra Lannister, you're in love."