ARTHUR I

The fight was decided, Arthur Sand would win, even so, Vorian and Gaston would not give up. They were good warriors, but Arthur was exceptional, everyone repeated how much he looked like his father, the Sword of the Morning. And while he never met him, something inside him urged him to emulate him. He even thought of emulating him, always praying to The Warrior to bless him.

In Winterfell only he, his cousins Dyanna and Clarisse, and his aunt Ashara prayed to the Seven. Sometimes, when the Manderlys and their banners visited us, the sept was full, the rest of the time it remained almost empty. Still, he didn't care, the Seven were the gods of House Dayne and he followed them proudly, even though his blood was that of the First Men.

"Do you give up?" said Arthur, pointing a sword at each of his opponents.

"I give up", squealed Gaston Poole.

"You have me, Sand", Vorian added. "Thank the gods you are my friend and not my enemy."

"Congratulations, cousin!" cried Arya.

Arthur churned little Arya's hair.

"Congratulations, Arthur", said Jeyne Poole, bowing before him. Arthur kissed her hand, causing Gaston to frown.

"It was a good fight," said Draqio Fyllaris, the volantene strategist in the service of his uncle Eddard. You'll certainly become the champion of the North, Arthur.

"I hope you'll be knighted, Arthur", Jeyne interrupted.

"That will be decided by the Manderlys, Jeyne," Gaston scolded her, embarrassing her.

"Come on, Gaston, don't be harsh with her," Vorian interjected. "Arthur deserves without a doubt the knighthood. Lord Wyman will notice."

After exchanging a few more words, they entered the castle to eat. Lord Eddard had not yet arrived and that worried Vorian, as his father never took too long to execute. It would be the first time Brandon would witness an execution, a defector from Night's Watch.

Lord Eddard Stark did not take much longer to arrive and with him, seven cubs of direwolf, four males and three females. The courtiers and servants of the castle interpreted it as a sign from the Old Gods that legitimized the rule of the Starks. Arthur didn't know what to think, he was a strong believer in the Seven, did they send the direwolves to his cousins?

That night, he visits the forge to pay the blacksmith for the gift he would give Arya. When he returned to his rooms, his aunt Ashara was waiting for him. The purple sapphire on her headband crowned her forehead and matched her eyes, which looked at him with concern.

"Is something wrong, auntie?"

"No, Arthur is all right. Only, you can't be here when the King arrives."

Arthur expected it, but equally his pride was hurt.

"Where will I go?"

"White Harbor, Karhold, wherever you want to go."

"White Harbor", Arthur replied without thinking. The southernmost place in the North would be the perfect place.

"White Harbor will be. After all, Draqio Fyllaris must visit the city in a week."

Draqio Fyllaris was one of his uncle Eddard's best advisors, as well as a good instructor for Vorian and himself. Before long he had gained the trust of his uncles, becoming a friend to House Stark. And now he would accompany him to White Harbor to hide from the King, who could see in him the Sword of the Morning and revive old hatreds.

Arthur was not to blame for his father's actions, although he was proud that he revealed Lyanna Stark's location to his uncle, the lord of Starfall. Thus, when Lord Eddard Stark arrived in Dorne he knew where to look for his sister. Without Arthur Dayne, Lyanna Stark's mortal remains would have been lost in the desert. Arthur Dayne was a hero, much more so than Robert, who didn't mind Tywin Lannister sacked King's Landing.

…

The next day he attended the sept with his aunt. It was a beautiful temple, albeit a small one. Septon Chayle, on the other hand, was a kind and jovial man, so much so that he was happy to attend the trades he performed. He was also a cultured man who spent his free time in the castle library, almost as wise as Maester Luwin.

Next to them were Dyanna, Clarisse and little Eyron. His other cousins preferred the Old Gods, he couldn't judge them, after all, they were their father's gods. They might have violet eyes, but their blood was Stark. Then he wondered if he would have been happier in Dorne, unfortunately, he could never corroborate it, as his aunt never wanted to visit Starfall.

"I have to visit Dorne one day", Arthur thought.

"Lady Stark", Jeyne Poole announced before the service began, drawing the attention of the septon.

"Tell me Jeyne, did anything happen that deserves my attention?" replied Aunt Ashara.

"No, I just wanted to ask for your permission to attend the ceremony. I want to learn more about the Seven."

At that moment, Arthur noticed the twinkle in the Septon Chayle's eyes.

"Of course, my dear, the septon will be happy to have you here," Ashara replied and the septon nodded. "Sit next to Dyanna and stay silent, at the end we can solve all the doubts you have."

"Thank you very much, Lady Stark", she replied.

"The Seven, who are One, rejoice when they touch a soul", the septon added.

In her most elegant clothes, Arthur realized that Jeyne was a beautiful girl. She was always kind to him, although he never thought of courting her. He thought then that it was not a bad idea, as a bastard he could not hope to marry a woman of high birth; Jeyne on the other hand was the daughter of the steward, had noble blood, although of lesser rank. No doubt, if he requested it, he would be given permission to marry her.

He thought only of Gaston, who was always protective of his sister. He was his friend and together with Vorian they shared many experiences, he would have to earn more than just their friendship if he hoped to court Jeyne. Their father, Vayon, would be harder to win, as every father was jealous of his daughter. Even so, Vayon Poole was a kind man, so his reaction worried much less than Gaston's.

"Cousin", Dyanna said, "I wondered if you would escort Jeyne and me for a walk in Wintertown."

"If my aunt agrees", Arthur replied.

"Don't be so formal, Arthur", complained his aunt. "Go and accompany them."

Unlike White Harbour, Wintertown was a small town, even less populated than Barrowton. However, in winter the city was filled with peasants, so there were many empty buildings waiting for their owners. Winters could be harsh and gave rise to fierce solidarity among the inhabitants of Wintertown.

There were not many places that could be visited, even so, it was the walk and not the destination that should be enjoyed. On other occasions he had already spent time with the women of Winterfell, but always in the company of Vorian and Gaston, which inhibited him. He was now free, as all illegitimate children were supposed to be.

"Is it true that you're going to White Harbor?" asked Dyanna.

"Are you leaving?" lamented Jeyne.

"Yes, I'm leaving. The King doesn't like Arthur Dayne's name very much."

"It's a shame," Jeyne complained. "Winterfell won't be the same without you."

"Jeyne!" added Dyanna as she feigned outrage.

"Will you miss me, Jeyne?" asked Arthur mischievously.

"I will", she said, blushing.

And Arhur kissed her. It wasn't the first time he kissed a woman, so it wasn't clumsy, even so, it was the sweetest kiss he had ever given. It was the first kiss he gave for love instead of mischief, as when he played with the daughters of the servants. He knew then that she was the woman he should marry, the one he would start a new house with her.

And if he could not marry her he would make her his lover, dornish-style. He would seek refuge in Starfall and serve his cousin Edric. He hadn't considered it before, but he was already a grown man and only duty tied him to Winterfell. That was the advantage of illegitimate children, they could decide on themselves. It was the only gift the gods gave them to compensate for the stain of adultery.

"I'll give you a scarf as a pledge," Jeyne promised when they separated.

"I will treasure it with my life", he declared. Then they returned to the castle and promised not to tell anything, keeping absolute silence.