Living in kings landing was not easy, I was born in the north instead of waking to the cold breeze and the sun trying to fight through the clouds, I have the sun blistering through with no cloud in sight and no cooling breeze.
I stared out looking at the ocean no wave in sight and no boats wondering the horizon. Kings landing was beautiful in some corners and from afar spectacular. But when you come closer the smell of urine and blood hits you.
You begin to see all the snakes wondering through kings landing. I have heard the whispers, witness the backstabbing and noticed the spies. This place was a game and we were the pieces.
"Lady Falls" turning my head from where I was standing "I was informed of your loss"
"You know nothing of my loss Lord Baelish" I stared at him, the man who loved lady Stark who pined after her, still after all this time. I remember the stories.
"I've heard about the bastard you love"
"And I heard you like to involve yourself in things that don't concern you, you can play your little games with others but I will happily take your life if you try and play with mine or anyone I love"
Little finger laughed, "I was informed of your fury but I am not the enemy" his hand held up in surrender.
"Well than you should do well to speak of what you want instead of beating around the bush" I stared at him leaving no room for games "Why you think you're smart I beg to differ"
"How do you like Kings Landing"?
"Its warm but I prefer home"
"You do not like it?" he wondered
"What gave it away the happiness on my face?" I wondered
"You sure you're not Eddard Stark Child?" he asked humour in his voice
"I am" I nodded "Part Child, he raised me and as did Lady Stark do well to respect him, excuse me Lord Baelish" pushing passed him, I walked away leaving him to on his own.
Walking to our keep I found Jory sitting down having something to eat, taking a seat I put my head on the table "Can we go home yet?" I wondered
"I wish" Jory mumbled,
"What do we wish?" Lord Stark voice hit my ears as he entered our living quarters
"Nothing" I mumbled
"Lillian" he signed "Tell me"
Lifting my head I stared at him "Reckon King Robert will let you go and we can go home to Winterfell"
"Yeah I hate this place too kid"
"Kid?" I questioned, "I am a grown lady. Lord Stark" I joked
Jory scoffed "Yeah and I'm the royal king" he smirked throwing bread at me.
"Lord Forrester asked me about Nadine and Ethan" my ears rang at good news, turning my head away from Jory I looked at Ned, My smile matching his.
"Their betrothal?" I smirked
"Yes and I gave permission but I stated the wedding had to be approved by the Lady of House Falls"
"Me? Right well I approve love that kid"
"What about me Lady Falls who can I marry?" Jory asked
I smirked "You know who, certain lady back home that you fell in the hay with and lost all your clothes" I winked
"Oh in the Stables I remember" Lord Stark smirked playing along with me
Lord Stark and I watched Jory go red "Shut up" he mumbled
"Aww your blushing how cute" I pinched Jory cheeks
Jory rolled his eyes "I'm going now" he got up smirking "Hate you" he yelled walking towards the door.
"Love you Jory," I yelled as he walked out of the door his chuckle booming in the room before the door shut.
"You're mean" Lord Stark laughed
"You played along!" I pointed out
"Ah I did, what have you planned today?"
"Nothing" I signed,
"You can't just walk around lifeless Lillian" Ned signed
"I'm trying" I shrugged
Ned stared at me "You miss him?"
"I miss him, I miss everything about him," I confirmed
"Me too" he nodded "Have you heard from him?"
"He wrote me before we left but I don't know what to say and it's been weeks and still I have nothing" I signed shrugging my shoulders.
"It will come to you in due time" Ned patted my back passing me a piece of parchment "For when your ready"
Jon POV
I stared up at the sky waiting for the practice to begin, waiting for everyone and as the cold tickled my nose all I thought was of Lillian. I haven't heard from her since I came here, she hadn't replied to my letter.
Was she okay? Did she meet someone? Was she mad at me? It burnt me to the core to think she'd be with someone else. I'd fight a war for her and die just to see her safe and happy. Ghost head bumped my hands, looking down I patted his head guess he was missing her too.
"Jon" Looking up at Grenn and Pyp, "Teach us" Smirking I got up grabbing the fake sword and shield. We began to practice and before we know it more people came out joining us.
"Leg, shoulder, leg. Left foot forward. Good. Now pivot as you deliver the stroke. Put all your weight behind it," I instructed
"What in seven hells is that?" Grenn asked, turning I saw a large man but not one who knew what he was doing.
"He'll need an eighth hell to fit him in." Pyp stated
I stood up straight my practice sword in the ground as I listened "Tell them your name" Alliser Throne signed
"Samwell Tarly, of Horn Hill. I mean, I was of Horn Hill. I've come to take the black"
"Come to take the black pudding" I rolled my eyes as Rast joke
Alliser Thorne signed, "Well, you couldn't be any worse than you look. See what he can do" Rast stepped up and began hitting to him, Sam whaled like a girl.
"I yield. Please, no more" Sam begged
"On your feet. Pick up your sword" Sam stayed on his feet which just angered Alliser "Hit him till he finds his feet. It seems they've run short of poachers and thieves down south. Now they send us squealing bloody pigs. Again, harder"
Rast continued to hit him stepping up Pyp stopped me. Shrugging him off, the whaling got too much "Enough! He yielded," I yelled helping Sam up throwing him behind me.
Alliser Thorne stared at me death in his eyes, this man truly hated me "Looks like the bastard's in love. All right then, lord Snow, you wish to defend your ladylove, let's make it an exercise. You two. Three of you ought to be sufficient to make lady piggy squeal. All you've got to do is get past the bastard"
I signed readying myself "Are you sure you want to do this?" I questioned
Grenn shook his head "No"
Rast moved forward, it was easy to knock him to the ground, Grenn followed and than Pyp and one by one I knocked them to the ground "Yield, yield. yield! I yield" Grenn yelled throwing his had up in surrender.
"We're done for today. Go clean the armoury. That's all you're good for" He spat at me walking away.
"Well fought!" Pyp smirked
"Piss off" Grenn frowned
"Did he hurt you?" Sam came up to concern in his voice, how did he not fight, why didn't he fight if he couldn't' this wasn't the place for him.
"I've had worse" I nodded remembering the scar on my hip from Lillian when she got me one time.
"You can call me Sam. If you want. My mother calls me Sam-"
"It's not going to get any easier, you know? You'll have to defend yourself" I cut him off
"Why didn't you get up and fight?" Grenn asked annoyed
"I wanted to. I just couldn't"
"Why not?"
"I'm a coward. My father always says so" he signed
I frowned "The Wall's no place for cowards" I was going to keep my promise to Lillian to not die, not before I seen her again.
"You're right. I'm sorry. I just... Wanted to thank you" Sam nodded before walking away, he was hurt and I felt bad.
"A bloody coward. People saw us talking to him. Now they'll think we're cowards too" Grenn spat angrily
"You're too stupid to be a coward" Pyp smirked trying to calm Grenn down
"You're too stupid to be a..."
"Quick now, before summer's over" Pyp laughed
Grenn charged at Pyp but he moved out of the way "Come on here" he yelled chasing after him. I stood in the yard annoyed and frustrated. I knew I had to protect Sam but it put me in a hard position.
Sat upon the wall on patrol, staring out North of the wall, it was beautiful sight but it was cold as shit, "Hello. Ser Alliser said I'm to be your new watch partner. I should warn you, I don't see all that well," Sam muttered
I signed watching him shake "Come stand by the fire. It's warmer"
"No, that's all right. I'm fine"
"You're not. You're freezing"
"I don't like high places" Sam confessed,
"You can't fight. You can't see. You're afraid of heights and almost everything else probably. What are you doing here, Sam?" I wondered
Sam signed "On the morning of my 18th name day, my father came to me. "You're almost a man now," he said, "but you're not worthy of my land and title. Tomorrow, you're going to take the black, forsake all claims to your inheritance and start north. If you do not," he said, "then we'll have a hunt and somewhere in these woods your horse will stumble and you'll be thrown from your saddle to die. Or so I'll tell your mother. Nothing would please me more" I stared at Sam
He didn't belong and I understood what that felt like, I knew than that I would protect him regardless of the outcome. "Ser Alliser's going to make me fight again tomorrow, isn't he?" Sam asked after a while
"Yes, he is" I nodded
"I'm not going to get any better, you know?"
I smirked "Well… You can't get any worse" Sam and I laughed.
Lillian POV
I found myself walking again, I had read letters from Nadine and Brent, even replied but the parchment I was stuck on held three words. My beloved Jon that's it three words.
It doesn't make sense why couldn't I confess to him, I wanted to hear from him but I know Jon he won't write unless I do but how do you do it, what would I say I'm heart broken? I miss you? What?
"Lillian" Turning I looked at Arya "Can you practice with me?"
"Practice?" I questioned,
"Dad letting me practice with my sword and I wanted to get some more practice in please" Nodding I followed her. Arya passed me the wooden stick I was impressed to see her holding it with one hand, not strongly but non-the less holding it.
We bowed and than Arya advanced. Her feet gave her movements away and I was able to block her advance "You're rushing" I pointed out "And showing me your game plan"
"What?" She frowned
"Your feet are predicting your next move sweetie, sword work is like dancing"
"Water dance"
"Ah your teacher is from Bravos" I smirked
"Ah yes" she nodded "you'd like him"
"I bet…Now come on" hitting her sword we began to dance a sense of home coming over me as we hit wood on wood, I hadn't practiced since I got here I was damned to wearing bloody dresses which lets be honest isn't me.
"Lillian, are you okay? You look sick?" Arya asked
"I feel it" I nodded feeling ill all of sudden
"Want me to get septa?" Arya panicked
"No seven hells no just pass me that bucket"
Jon POV
After sticking up for Sam I found myself cleaning tables in the hall with no other than Samwell Tarly himself.
"I know for a fact that some of the officers go to that brothel in Mole's Town" Sam spoke annoyed
"I wouldn't doubt it"
"Don't you think it's a little bit unfair? Making us take our vows while they sneak off for a little sally on the side"
"Sally on the side?" I smirked at his choice of words
"It's silly, isn't it? What, we can't defend the Wall unless we're celibate? It's absurd"
"I didn't think you'd be so upset about it"
"Why not? Because I'm fat? But I like girls just as much as you do. They might not like me as much. I've never... been with one. You've probably had hundreds" Sam signed annoyed.
"As a matter of fact, I've only had one"
"I find that hard to believe…. One?" he questioned
"I…just before we came here, the girl I love admitted she loved me all along, we were both too stupid to admit it and it took until I gave my word about coming here until we admitted it" I signed looking at my hands.
"Love?" Sam questioned "what her name?"
"Lillian Falls" I nodded "Lady Lillian Falls"
"A highborn"
"Yes a high born"
"What was it like?"
"Ah she's amazing, tongue sharper than a sword, eyes blue than the ocean, brown wavy hair" I signed leaning against the table "When her castle fell and was taken my father took her in…She's the only girl that ever made me feel welcomed"
"Jon I asked what was it like not her" Sam laughed
"Its indescribable especially with someone you love"
"Why you take so long to tell her? And than you leave her for this why?"
"What's my name?" I questioned
"Jon Snow?"
"And why is my surname Snow?"
Sam signed "Because... You're a bastard from the north"
"I never met my mother. My father wouldn't even tell me her name. I don't know if she's living or dead. I don't know if she's a noblewoman or a fisherman's wife... Or a whore. I walked away from her when she begged me to stay because she deserve better than a bastard, she deserves the world and I can't give her that"
"So... You weren't any good" Sam nodded
I stared at Sam before throwing something at his head and charging at him, punching him in the arm laughing at the big idiot.
"Enjoying yourselves? You look cold, boys" Alliser Thorne interrupted.
Sam nodded "It is a bit nippy"
"A bit nippy, yeah, by the fire, indoors. Its still summer. Do you boys even remember the last winter? How long has it been now? What, 10 years? I remember. Was it uncomfortable at Winterfell? Were there days when you just couldn't get warm, never mind how many fires your servants built?"
"I build my own fires," I stated
"That's admirable. I spent six months out there, beyond the Wall during the last winter. It was supposed to be a two-week mission. We heard a rumour Mance Rayder was planning to attack East watch. So we went out to look for some of his men... Capture them, gather some knowledge. The Wildlings who fight for Mance Rayder are hard men. Harder than you'll ever be. They know their country better than we do. They knew there was a storm coming in. So they hid in their caves and waited for it to pass. And we got caught in the open. Wind so strong it yanked 100-foot trees straight from the ground, roots and all. If you took your gloves off to find your cock to have a piss, you lost a finger to the frost. And all in darkness. You don't know cold. Neither of you do. The horses died first. We didn't have enough to feed them, to keep them warm. Eating the horses was easy. But later when we started to fall... That wasn't easy. We should have had a couple of boys like you along, shouldn't we? Soft, fat boys like you. We'd have lasted a fortnight on you and still had bones leftover for soup. Soon we'll have new recruits and you lot will be passed along to the Lord Commander for assignment and they will call you men of the Night's Watch, but you'd be fools to believe it. You're boys still. And come the winter you will die... Like flies"
Lillian POV
I Sat at the tournament still feeling ill but was able to swallow the vomit feeling that came over me sitting in the blistering heat "Lover's quarrel?" Looking to the sound Lord Baelish took a seat next to Sansa.
"I'm sorry. Do I?"
"Sansa this is Lord Baelish" I stated staring a stare he knew
Lord Baelish nodded "An old friend of the family. I've known your mother a long…long time" he nodded
"Why do they call you Little finger?" Arya asked
"Arya!" Sansa snapped,
"Don't be rude!" Septa hissed
Little finger smirked "No, it's quite all right. When I was a child I was very small and I come from a little spit of land called The Fingers, so you see, it's an exceedingly clever nickname" he chuckled
"Hmm clever" I rolled my eyes
"I've been sitting here for days! Start the damn joust before I piss myself" King Robert stuttered drunk.
Staring at the knights who rode up I saw one as big as a bloody hill "Gods, who is that?" Sansa gasped
"Ser Gregor Clegane. They call him the Mountain. The Hound's older brother" Turning around I made eye contact with the so-called Hound. He stared at me a frown on his face before I turned around again.
"And his opponent?" I questioned
"Ser Hugh of the Vale. He was Jon Arryn's squire. Look how far he's come" Lord Baelish replied
The knights moved to either side holding wooden stick in his arms they began to move towards each other, nothing happened. They reset themselves and charged and like a blink in the eye Ser Hugh found himself on the ground spitting blood with a wooden piece in his throat.
"Not what you were expecting?" Lord Baelish asked a scared Sansa "Has anyone ever told you the story of the Mountain and the Hound? Lovely little tale of brotherly love. The Hound was just a pup, six years old maybe. Gregor a few years older, already a big lad, already getting a bit of a reputation. Some lucky boys just born with a talent for violence. One evening... Gregor found his little brother playing with a toy by the fire... Gregor's toy, a wooden knight. Gregor never said a word; he just grabbed his brother by the scruff of his neck and shoved his face into the burning coals. Held him there while the boy screamed, while his face melted. There aren't very many people who know that story"
"I won't tell anyone. I promise" Sansa muttered scared
Lord Baelish smirked "No, please don't. If the Hound so much as heard you mention it, I'm afraid all the knights in King's Landing would not be able to save you"
"Or you Lord Baelish, I'm sure he'd hang you by your toes hearing such stories. Truth or not" I stated "Now stop trying to scare the child"
"You're a fierce women Lady Falls" He smirked
"Do well to remember that" I nodded "Arya time for you to go to your dance lesson"
"Oh right thanks" She nodded getting up and running away for sword lessons.
…
The mountain rode up to King Robert and took a bow in front of him, Lord Stark finally joining us "Lillian where is Arya?" Lord Stark asked
"At her dance lessons" I nodded
"Are you okay?" Lord Stark asked examining me
I fanned myself "Not use to the heat"
"Ah…Not something I favour either" he elbowed me
"The Knight of the Flowers" Sansa whispered a smile upon her face, she was smitten, rather it be over him than over that little prick. Ser Lora's rode up handing me a red rose I stared for a second before taking it.
"Thank you" he nodded but his eyes went passed me. Placing the rose in my lap I watched them ride off to the side, Sansa mumbling something and clutched her father arm.
"100 gold dragons on the Mountain" Little finger yelled
"I'll take that bet" Kings little brother Renly Baratheon yelled
"Now what will I buy with 100 gold dragons? A dozen barrels of Dornish wine? Or a girl from the pleasure houses of Lys?"
"Or you could even buy a friend" Renly replied a smirk playing on his lips.
I watched as they rode towards each other fast and quick and it didn't take long until the mountain was flat on his back. The sound of Laughter and argument filled my ears but my eyes stayed on the mountain as he growled and threw his helmet like a two year old not getting what it wants.
"SWORD" I frowned as I watched his squire hand him his sword, I stood to my feet as I watched him behead his beautiful horse, my eyes wide in shock
Lord Stark grabbed my hand pulling me back down but Gregor tantrum didn't stop as he swung at Ser Lora's knocking him off his horse and continues to strike at him whilst he was on the ground.
Turning my head I saw the hound his eyes connected with mine and before I knew it the Hound roared with anger "Leave him be!" Brothers or not the mountain didn't care and continued to swing at this brother who was protecting the knight. I was impressed to say the least.
"Stop this madness in the name of your King!" King Robert screamed and just like a dance the hound fell to his knee, sword in ground as the mountain just missed his head. The mountain continued his sulking throwing his sword to the ground and storming off.
Lora's grabs the hound left hand with his right and raises both in the air to the cheers of a standing ovation. I clapped because I was impressed no doubt about it. Stepping down from where I sat I waited until people cleared and headed towards Renly "This was meant for you milord" I stated handing him the red rose.
"I don't know what-"
"Yes you do, you know, very well so…here" pushing the rose towards him, "Anyone ask just say I gave it to you" I nodded
"I-I"
"Secret safe with me I don't stand in the way of love" Nodding I turned on my heels and left Renly on his lonesome. I continued a while outside before I found myself in my room, I hate it here I feel trapped like nothing I can say or do will change anything.
Huffing I seen the parchment and for some reason my frustration fuelled my energy to write to Jon. My hand gripped the feather writing away until my chamber door slammed open turning I stared at my intruder.
"Seven hells Arya what is it?" I hissed "Shut the door" Arya listened shutting the door
"Someone is gong to Kill father" she huffed
"Speak English Arya" I frowned
"I overheard someone saying they were going to kill dad like they killed Jon-" I wrapped my hand around Arya mouth.
"Shh" I whispered "to many snakes around here…Jory won't let anything happen to him okay and your dad a great fighter, his tough"
"So was Jon Arryn" She signed fear in her ears
Grabbing Arya I wrapped her in a hug, I hope no one was after Lord Eddard Stark he was my adoptive father, he raised me, he helped me I couldn't lose him. He and Lady Stark were like a blessing from my parents, a second chance of having parents.
Before I knew it a knock on my door occurred, frowning I pushed Arya behind me grabbing the dagger from the table and walking towards the door as I opened it I saw Sansa and Jory "Three of you stay together, lock this door and open it for no one"
"Jory" I frowned
"Please trust me, keep them safe and open the door to no one" leaning forward I wrapped my arms around Jory I knew he would always protect us but he was on edge. "Trust me"
"Be safe please and protect him"
"I will I swear it…Now stay here" Jory shut the door ordering Stark soldier to protect the door and not move unless himself or Lord Stark says otherwise.
"Lillian"
"Shut up and be ready to move" I nodded staring at the door time passing. I waited and waited and heard nothing. I had paced back and forth for hours waiting. My hand gripping Jon dagger waiting for something. I had finally got Arya and Sansa to go to sleep on the bed.
A steady knock stopped my pacing, gripping my dagger I placed it in the back of my dress "Lady Falls" Opening my chamber doors I saw one of the guards "Jory dead" My jaw clenched tight "And Lord Stark is-"
"Take me to him now"
"Lady"
"Do as your ordered" I hissed angrily, tears begging to slip for Jory.
"Yes my Lady" nodding I hide my dagger better seeing the other guards "Protect them and don't let them leave nor let anyone enter who is not myself or lord Stark"
"Yes milady" they nodded standing guard.
I followed him through the hallways and archway until I saw him lying in his bed wrapped up. Hurt. Taking a deep breath I took a seat beside his bedside, taking my dagger out and putting it on the bed.
"What have they done to you?" I whispered "We shouldn't have left home Ned, we shouldn't have left home" Gripping his hand I placed it on my forehead and began praying to the new and old gods.
