Thank you for reading and reviewing!

I got a bit carried away and in the end the chapter became fluffier than I had intended. But well, there will be enough death and destruction coming soon enough.

Crossvelvet: Yes, Wanda will show up later in the story and so will Jean, though she won't be the same person as Sansa. I considered it but then decided against it.

Disclaimer: I don't own Marvel and ASOIAF/GOT.

Steven

Brookbridge, 280 A.C.

The sound of steel on steel clung through the courtyard as the blades kissed each other in a violent dance. There was no time to think, they had to be one with the blades, parring and coming at each other again. Finally, the taller opponent doged a hit a moment to late and the other sent the sword flying out of reach.

"Yield!" the voice was stern, though definitely also a little bit smug.

"I yield, but please have mercy on me!" the fighter pleaded, laughter lacing their voice.

Pulling off the helmet, cascades of Lannister locks fell down to her shoulders as she smiled at her trainer who in turn divested herself of the headgear. Blue eyes met blue eyes as Maryah gave Bobbi a small, affirmative smile. She looked gorgeous, wearing men's clothing same as his sister and Steve's heart thumped a bit quicker while he was watching them from across the courtyard.

"Ser Steven, why are you grinning like that?" a voice suddenly inquired curiously.

The man looked down only to find the youngest lion cub staring at him, her eyes twinkling.

"I was watching my sister and Lady Maryah train. And what about you?"

"Me too, it is better here outside than inside. When can I finally use a proper sword though?"

Steve sighed. Carol wouldn't stop asking, she was obsessed with the wish of finally fighting with real steal. She was so typical Lannister, he thought to himself. He knew that Ser Jaime had begged for it as soon as he turned seven, and so had Bobbi and, of one believed the rumours, even Cersei. Who would have thought. That Lannister girl, now so poised, once running wild. Maybe she would have turned out differently if they had let her. Less of a bitch. Less manipulative. Or if that was just who she was. And what kind of woman Bobbi would have become if they had tried to hold her into shape - meek and broken? Or rebellious and wild? Intrigrant and cunning? Well, to be fair, now she was rebellious and cunning, an actress if need be.

"You will get one when you are ready Carol," he snapped back to the present and explained as calmly as possible.

Out of the corner of his eyes he saw the other two walking closer. His wife was frowning in displeasure, though Steve didn't know what he could have done wrong. He would have loved to smooth out the wrinkles on her forehead and to rub the tension out of her shoulders, though he was sure she wouldn't quite appreciate it in this moment. Suddenly the knight realized that her anger was actually directed at the child next to him.

"Carol," she growled, "you were supposed to work on your reading and have your history lessons with the maester until noon. Training is only this afternoon!"

"But this is boring!" the little one complained, only a bit intimidated.

"You will be glad once it is keeping you alive, young lady!" Maryah argued back, but the girl shook her head so vigorously that the pinned up braids came loose and tumbled onto her shoulders.

"I don't see why! And I am no lady! You know that! Because you were none and Bobbi is none and even Ser Steven wasn't a Lord and -"

"That is quite enough," he interrupted her furiously, grabbing her by the arm and dragging her behind him into an empty storage room. Steve could only imagine the glowering looks his wife was giving the bystanders to keep any comments from spreading like wildfire through Brookbridge. Inside, he turned the girl to face him. She had gotten quite pale in the meantime, even she must understand that she had overstepped a line. Somebody entered behind him and closed the door, the steps lighter than a man's. Without looking he knew it was Maryah.

"Carol, what does it mean to be a lady?" his wife asked calmly. So calmly that Steve knew the next questions would be full of catches.

"Uhm, to have a real name, to be rich, to wear dresses, to behave properly, to curtsy...," she trailed off. Her eyes widened when Maryah shook her head.

"Yes, a lady has a title. But usually, a lady isn't rich. Can you imagine why Carol?"

They were waiting as the child actually started to consider.

"No. They have pretty things, right?"

"That is true. Dresses and necklaces and trinkets. Maybe a horse. But nothing influential, girl, who owns most of the world?"

Maryah sounded bitter, Steve realized, not that he could blame her.

"Men!" Carol suddenly called out, delighted that she had realized what the woman was hinting at.

"Yes Carol, and they also think they own women." She glared at Steve while giving that statement, daring him to contradict, to tell her that indeed they DID own women. He wouldn't though, he had never seen it that way. As if anyone could own Maryah! A ridiculous thought. Though he knew that his father was under the impression that he had a claim on Bobbi.

"It is true what she says," he therefore confirmed to the younger girl, "fathers, brothers, husbands, guardians - most will always see you as a property. As something to push around, to use as they please. Your father will decide who you marry, your husband might try to determine your fate for the rest of your life, if you are unlucky. That is what we are trying to prepare you for."

"Exactly," his wife took over, "you have to be able to fight to survive in this world. But not only fight with a sword. Fight with your brain as well. Fight with everything you have. Be smart. That is the point of your lessons. People want to see an accomplished woman and wife and that is what you have to show them if need be. Especially what you have to show your father if you want to stay in his good graces. And let me tell you one thing: Your father might have stepped back as hand of the king because he is furious about your brother joining the Kingsguard, but he is still one of the most powerful and richest men in Westeros. If you don't have to, you don't want him as your enemy. He is not sentimental but he took care of you because you are his blood and he feels responsible. At least that is what I think. But Carol, never forget: You are no lady by name. Not yet. You are a Hill. You a wearing a bastard name in a world that looks down on bastards. This is not ideal, but being a daughter of a Lannister is potential for much more. Much more gain but also much more pain. It can go both ways and a lot of it depends on you. Whether you learn to play the game of power. Because if you play the game of power, you win or you get crushed. Bobbi knows this, why do you think she speaks so many languages and and has such an exceptionally broad knowledge?"

After that speech, Carol was looking a bit overwhelmed and Steve wondered for a moment whether this had been too much for the girl, whether Maryah had overdone it. Not that she was wrong in her observations. Then the short blonde set her jaw, the eyes sparkling, and in that moment she looked so much like Tywin that it was almost scary.

"I won't be a toy. Teach me!"

A small smile tugged at the older woman's lips and Steven thought once more how radiant she would look with her feelings fully on display.

"Alright. Back to the maester then. I am sure he has been looking for you," Steve ordered and this time she did as she was told and ran off, braids bouncing.

Maryah turned towards him, suddenly looking very tired.

"Do you think we can do it?"

The man reached out for her hand, hoping she wouldn't pull away.

"I don't know. But Carol has potential. She could learn to act smartly and she will definitely become beautiful, that will be useful. Jaime likes her. For some reason Tywin supports her, that is probably most important. And she has us. I know no other woman who knows so much about the Game as you do."

"You are probably right with what you say about her. I just worry. And don't overestimate me. Our power is limited and so are our relations and connections. Receiving Lord Eddard and Lady Natalia and Lord James in the next few weeks will put enough preassure on us, coming from your family. They wonder why we are doing it, what our motives are. And there has been a raven, Steve, coming from Olenna Tyrell. She is asking us to host her daughter, Lady Margaery, and her brother. It is strange, I can't quite make sense of it. But they say that she is meant to wed Stannis Baratheon. Maybe she is allowed one last trip, free from his chains."

She made a face.

"Good for her and I would really like to meet Lady Margaery. Still, we don't have the capacities to host three separate parties - but we are also in no position to refuse!"

Suddenly Maryah was looking desperate, seemingly out of her depth.

"We will manage," her husband tried to calm her down, "I doubt the Tyrells will stay long. Bucky is only coming down with a small party, it should be no problem, as should the Starks. Answer Lady Tyrell and describe the situation - either they accept it or they can search for somebody else to host them."

Relief washed over her face and her shoulders relaxed slightly. Steve wondered how long this had bothered hee and why she hadn't told him. Didn't she trust him enough? What a sad thought.

Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed it!