When they got back to the yard again, Rickon was shivering. "Robb, he'll kill Bran!"

The scene before them made Robb's blood run cold. Wylar Manderly held Bran within his grasp with a knife poised at his throat ready to slice him from ear to ear.

Wylar sneered at their approach. "Lord Stark, you will apologize to me for your insult yesterday or Bran Stark will die."

"You Bastard! You disgrace our name!" his grandfather Wyman snarled.

Robb unsheathed his sword as he cautiously approached, eyes trained on the blade at his brother's neck. "Drop your sword Lord Wylar or be slain by Ice," The Young Wolf said quietly.

"Summer is dead," Bran cried. "He slaughtered him while he slept."

Robb spied dried blood on Wylar's hands and almost vomited at imagining Summer's corpse. Out the corner of his eye, he spied Lord Wylis Manderly positioning himself behind his son. Robb and Wyman did their best to focus on Wylar so as not to tip him off. "I didn't think you for such a craven as to kidnap and hold hostage a young boy."

Wylar ignored the jab at his manhood. "So, what say you, Lord Stark? Shall I cut him into pieces to be fed to your remaining dogs?"

Rob bristled. Yet, another insult to House Stark, he was sick to death of people referring to their majestic direwolves as dogs, and the Stark's themselves by proxy. Fortunately, there was no need to rise to the bait as he saw Lord Wylis had finally moved into position. "NOW!" he motioned to Wylis.

The heir of New Castle moved quickly to disarm his son, wrapping his arms around the other man, taking care jerk the hand holding the knife at Bran's throat away from ensuring no harm came in the struggle. As soon as he was free of the blade and Wylar's grip, Bran ran towards Robb as fast as he could.

There was a brief struggle as Lord Wylis wrenched the knife away from his son before proceeding to beat him to a pulp in his anger.

"You fucking twat! How dare you bring such dishonor to our name? Henceforth you are disinherited! I should kill you! However, lucky for you, you will face trial for your misdeeds." Wyman moved to pull Lord Wylis off his grandson before he killed him due to his temper.

Robb after checking to make sure Bran was unharmed turned to address Lord Wylis. "But not here Lord Manderly, in Kings Landing, where he'll face the Queen's justice for trying to kill not only a price of the realm but the Queen's own brother. For now, bind him with the heaviest chains you find and make sure to gag him. I care not to hear another word out of his mouth. I'll have him on his way to King's Landing as soon as possible. Unless anyone has any objections?"

The Manderlys shook their heads in the negative. They were decent men and readily accepted the fate Wylar had in store for him, whatever it may be. An unpleasant and slow execution more than likely.

Lord Wyman moved to stand before Lord Stark as his brother was handed off to New Castle's guards to be locked in the dungeons. "He's not one of us anymore, my lord, if he ever was. He will be removed from our history books in White Harbor as if he was never born. And House Manderly will do its best to make up for his misdeeds."

Robb nodded while embracing his brother. "Thank you." Bran clutched Robb's tunic, sobbing for the loss of Summer. Robb tried his best to comfort him. "It's alright Bran. We'll stay here for another day so we can bury Summer. Sansa will understand why we couldn't make it on time."

Bran shook his head in Robb's embrace before looking up at with watery but determined eyes. "No, we'll bury him now and continue on our journey. Sansa's wish was for you to escort her down the aisle. We won't let him ruin Sansa's wedding day."

Pride swelled in Robb's breast at Bran's words. His little brother was steadily growing into a man. "Such is the Stark blood in youBran. If you're sure, then let us go and find Summer a proper place for burial. After which we'll continue on our journey sothat this animal can face justice." He glared at Wylar's retreating back.

In the end the Maderlys decided to follow Robb south almost immediately. They would attend the wedding, as well as witness Wylar's trial to show the realm that they're for the dispensation of justice even if justice was being served to one of their own.

…

Twenty days before the wedding Jon found Lady Shireen in one of the gardens as he was passing by. Jon took a chance and addressed her.

"Ehm.. ahh, Lady Shireen Baratheon?" Jon asked nervously.

Shireen tilted her up at him. "Ah yes, you must be Aegon Targaryen, better known as Jon."

Jon grimaced. "I was called Jon for all my life until recently. I prefer Jon rather than Aegon." Remembering his courtesies, he added, "and you may call me Jon if you don't mind."

"Then, Jon it is. Do you like flowers?"

"I can't say yes but I do not hate them, my lady."

"I enjoy flowers. Especially the history behind them. Every flower has its own story. Take Carnations, for example, some people consider them as a symbol of death or the afterlife. While to others it is seen as a symbol of love and life. How interesting is that? A flower that had contradicting meanings. Is there not so much difference between the meaning of life and death? Which of the two do you think Carnations better represents?"

Jon paused to think for a second. "I think it can be both. From life comes death and from death comes life. A perfect sort of balance." He smiled at her as he finished speaking causing her to blush.

He is quite a gentle and handsome man, thought Shireen. She wondered what it would be like to be such a man's betrothed or lady wife.

While Shireen mused on such things Jon tried to think of a way to spend more time with her. And idea suddenly came to him. "What do you think of dining with us tonight, my lady? I'll ask your father's permission, of course, but would you like that? Sansa won't mind if you're wondering." He hastily added at seeing her surprised expression.

"Oh! Thank you! I've been alone at dinner lately." Shireen outwardly tried to control the delight she felt inside at Jon's proposal.

"So, you'll accompany me then?" asked Jon for further clarification. Until recently the only guests they'd had lately was Lord Tywin and his family since they've arrived. He'd like to have more company than just the lions.

"Yes, my lord. Are you sure the Queen won't mind? Last I heard she'd been dining with the Lannisters. I don't wish to cause a disturbance." Shireen asked with some concern. She didn't want to disturb the dinner by being an unwanted guest. With her greyscale, most people tended to be put off by her mere presence.

Jon shook his head. "What? No, no! It's hard to explain but I'm sure you will be more than welcome tonight."

She nodded in acquiesce. The two talked amicably for a few more minutes before she thanked him once more and the two parted ways, each left waiting for tonight's dinner.

…...

Sansa meanwhile was quarreling with Arya about the the dress she was trying to get out of wearing for the wedding.

"You promised to learn to be a lady in exchange for learning how to become good swords-woman!"

"I didn't promise! I accepted!"

"Arya! Please!"

"The Queen of The Seven Kingdoms beseeching her younger sister! Wonderful! I'll wear one but I'll choose which one for myself." Arya intoned sarcastically.

Sansa snorted before throwing her hands in the air and accepting defeat. One must know when to compromise.

"What about you? What will you wear?" asked Arya.

"I'm not sure, I ordered two gowns commissioned from The Royal Tailor. The first is primarily Tully blue, cut in the Southern style, and is the same color I wore when Tywin came to negotiate our marriage while the second gown is white for the Stark colors and geared in the Northern style."

"Go with the Stark colors! They suit you well with your red hair. No doubt Tywin will be impressed. While you wear the Tully blue gown after the wedding ceremony for the feast."

"I'll take your advice. Oh, I hope he'll be impressed Arya, but it's not only him I must impress. All of Westeros should see their queen."

"Oh! Come off it Sansa! You're only fooling yourself, we both know he's the only one you really want to impress," Arya interrupted with a roll of her eyes, "Why don't you just confess your love to him and see what happens? No doubt you'll do yourself and us the agony of watching you two dance around one another."

Sansa sighed. "What if he doesn't love me?"

Arya gave an unladylike snort. "That! Oh, lovers! How many times have you asked this question? What if he doesn't love me? What if he refuses me? What if, what if, what if. I haven't read romantic stories about knights and princesses much but I know all about this nonsense, sister. He does love you and you know it deep down!"

"Thank you, Arya. I'll see what will happen."

Though she agreed with Arya, Sansa was not sure if she'd ever get the courage to ask him because the whole situation felt overwhelming. Well, nothing for. There was plenty of work to distract herself with. Like making sure the dress Arya picked befit a princess of her station.

"Now back to my dress. I don't want it to be very girlish. No ribbons or unnecessary frills either!"

…

"A message has arrived for you, my lord," whispered Cheryin to Tywin while he sat on The Iron Throne listening to petitioners in the Queen's stead. The young man handed it over to Tywin he briefly glanced at it before tucking it away to be read later.

When he got back to The Hand's apartment he opened the message via a knife and read it.

To Lord Tywin,

The Queen Mother has secretly gotten married again without the Queen's leave.

From Anonymous

Tywin swallowed hard as he digested missive's contents, leaning back in his chair. Gods! How can I tell Sansa? She will be upset and blame herself! But this is not her mistake. No, that lay at the feet of the madwoman who called herself her mother. Unbelievable! She still can't contain her distaste of me, nor stop treating Sansa as a child rather than the woman she is.

Tywin didn't wish to upset her but what he could do? Worse still he didn't know whom her mother had married, which could be a problem depending on who they were. Who would be so bold as to marry the Queen Mother in secret?

After deep thought, Tywin made the decision to tell her after the wedding, alone, so she could enjoy the upcoming nuptials and not be burdened with worry. He wanted to summon Lord Edmure Tully by raven to inform the man and ask him to discreetly search for his sister and whom she had married but was wary such vital news being intercepted.

That left him with utilizing The Blackfish. The man should be able to find his niece in due time. He summoned Cheryin again, holding up the message, "Do you know who sent this?"

Cheryin started to nodded before shaking his head. "A boy brought it to the keep, my lord. We tried to ask him who he was and who wrote it but he left before we get an answer."

"Hmmm, take Tyrion and a Red Cloak with you Cheryin and find him. We need to know what's going on."

Tywin thought Tyrion the best option in such a problem. The dwarf was familiar with the streets of King's Landing and he knew how to ask the right questions to get results.

"Let's see where it will get us," mumbled Tywin.

…

"So, do you remember him?"

"Aye, he's a black-headed boy with a small scar under his right eye."

"I wonder where he got that," Tyrion mumbled offhand before dismissing the man with the flick of a silver wolf. The man profusely bowed his thanks as he took the coin before taking off.

Tyrion and Cheryin had been scouring the streets all evening asking after a boy who matched the description Cheryinremembered. All through Tyrion felt as if someone was watching them, but every time he turned his head he didn't see anyone.

After another two hours of sparse information, he saw a small shadow to his left.

Catching the eye of Cheryin and the Lannister guardsmen with them, he said aloud, "Let us go between the alleys and see if anyone has seen the boy." They walked together until they found an open door of one of the houses. They went inside to look but found the place was abandoned. Suddenly, they heard a crackling voice and Tyrion motioned the soldier to find its source until he saw the boy they wanted running toward the front door trying to escape.

"Follow him!" Tyrion shouted.

Cheryin and the guardsmen longer legs helped them keep a close chase of the boy unlike Tyrion who simply tried to his best to keep them within his sights.

They soon found the boy was clever as he ran through clotheslines, market stalls and in between buildings to avoid them but eventually, Cheryin was able to catch up enough to throw himself on him.

"Please, I didn't do anything," the child cried.

"We'll see about that. Man, bring him with us to The Red Keep. Clearly there's something afoot or the boy wouldn't have run from us this way," Tyrion told the Red Cloak," Why did he hid in that house is beyond me, but I'll have to tell father about it."

…

Shireen was excited for the dinner tonight. Her father had given her permission to attend it after Jon asked him.

Accompanied by Baratheon guards she was escorted to the private dining hall where she sat ended up sat between Jon and Arya on one side of the table while the Lannisters were on the other. She noted the addition of Lady Dorna Lannister, Kevan's wife. She had arrived in the capital sometime yesterday evening and had formally met the Queen this morning.

Tywin had always respected his goodsister but felt she had hated Joanna for reasons still unknown to him. Whether it had been jealousy because Joanna was married to the richest man in the Seven Kingdoms, simply a clash of personalities as Joanna enjoyed showing off her jewels and gold, he did not know but he had dismissed the issue because Kevan had loved her and she loved him back which was enough in his eyes. He'd never mentioned the issue to his brother because she'd never harmed his previous wife and there was no to cause strife over such minor things.

Nonetheless, the evening was enjoyable as everyone was busy conversing on various topics. Sansa and Tywin were engrossed with talk of issues with the realm, while Kevan and his wife talked about their children, and Shireen was talking to Jon and Arya about living in Storm's End. Tyrion was the only one wrapped up in his own thoughts.

"You know I've always wanted to take a trip around the realm! Jon promised me he'd take me to Dragonstone one day!" Arya boasted.

"Honestly, I don't know what's so fascinating to you about such a dreary castle but a promise is a promise."

"I want to see where the last dragons lived for centuries. We can take Shireen too." Arya added as an afterthought.

"I'll need my father's permission for that, but unfortunately, I doubt he'd allow me to do so."

"Don't worry, my lady. By that time I think he will be convinced that I and my men can protect you if needed. If not, I'll ask him to lend me some men from The Storm's End in any case," Jon said confidently.

….

"Petyr, they ousted me from the Red Keep. Now I'm all alone and I can't go back to the Riverlands without anyone to protect me on the road. May I stay with you?"

A gleam shone in Littlefinger's eyes at that question. "My dearest Cat, of course, you can stay with me, but…we have to get married. It would be better for both of us."

"Married? But .."

"What if someone saw us and accused us of the same terrible accusation they accused the Queen and her Hand of ?"

"Yes, you're right! We will not repeat the same mistake s as they have. Thank you Petyr, you are my only friend in the world."

Lord Baelish saw this opportunity as a big chance to complete the next step towards his goal. He wrote a letter informing The Great Lion of his wedding anonymously to show him not all of was under his control.

Queen Sansa would rue the day she married such an unworthy man and what happened to rulers who didn't properly take care of their family. Sending Catelyn Stark into his arms was a big mistake.

Unbeknownst to Petyr, he couldn't have been more wrong. As he'd made a fatal error in underestimating the Queen and Tywin Lannister. Little did he know the young boy he'd employed to deliver the letter was within Tywin's grasp and would soon find out exactly who sent the letter.