Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones or else, the Starks and their kids would have survived !
Summary:Lyarra Stark, born during King Robert's rebellion, is Lord Rickard Stark's youngest daughter, raised by her brother Ned as the oldest of his own children. She will find herself in the heart of Westeros' political intrigues. Will she be able to save herself without too many damages ?
Author's note : A huge thank you to House of the lion for translating my story, originally posted in French ! Another thank you to my friend LightDreamer who drew the cover of this fiction which represents my OC : Lyarra Stark. You can find LightDreamer on Instagram as kittehsakura.
CHAPTER 2 : THE ROYAL DELEGATION
It had been a few weeks since we returned to Winterfell with the litter of cubs. As it turned out, Mother had not jumped for joy as the other children had. All the Starks had been able to have their wolves, as a seventh all-white had strayed from his siblings. So the animals now followed their masters around the castle and played together in the courtyard. Sansa had called hers Lady, Robb Grey Wind, Rickon Shaggydog, Bran Summer, Nymeria for Arya, Ghost for Jon and I had called mine Winter. Winter to remind us of the Stark motto, Winter to remind us all that the cold season never left us. Despite the episode of his peeing on me, I had quickly become attached to my wolf. I lamented that I had no authority over her. Hiver did as she pleased. She liked to sleep in everyone's bed, steal food from the kitchen and so on. She had gotten clean to my relief, but when she would make those pitiful eyes at me when I came to pick on her, I could only melt. And my younger brothers had stolen Winter's trick. One misty look and I couldn't be stern anymore. Screwed up, that's what I was.
But despite the joy that had come to Winterfell, a dark shadow loomed over us from the south.
We had learned shortly after our return that Jon Arryn was dead. Lord Arryn had been the protector of Father and Robert Baratheon during the Rebellion. The king had appointed the lord of the Vale as his Hand and advisor. With his death, the royal court had decided to visit us in the North and I really didn't like it. So did Mother. I had overheard her talking to Father about it once and she had the same suspicions I had. The king wanted to make Father his new Hand, which meant that part of the family would go south. It reminded me of the nightmare Bran had had the night before the cubs were found. Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do about the arrival of the Baratheons and Lannisters, and since they were expected today, I finished preparing in my room. Hiver had settled comfortably on my bed and was watching me with a mocking look. The reason was because Arya was complaining about having to wear a dress and do her hair. After taking care of her, I had formally forbidden her to leave my room. I didn't want to have to do it again!
-But why do we have to get ready like this for people we don't know? the younger one grumbled.
-Arya, I'm going to knock you out. You know why. And whether you like it or not, you're going to wear a dress for the king. I don't like it any more than you do, but I'll deal with it. I say as I finish braiding my hair.
-You like that, wearing dresses, you.
-I do, but I don't like the visit we're about to have.
-Sansa is happy about it. She's gone to do her hair, with the help of the maids, to look the prettiest for the Prince. She's a fool. She doesn't even know him.
-Don't insult Sansa. She dreams of meeting Prince Joffrey. They say he's handsome.
-Do you want to meet him?
-Not especially. Since I don't know them, I don't care about them all. How do you find me? I asked, turning to her.
For the occasion, I had put on a long blue velvet dress.
-You are very pretty. Arya complimented me with a bored look.
-Your joy of living makes me warm in the heart Arya.
I took some pink rose scented water from a vase and sprayed it on my neck and wrists. I gave some to my little sister and declared us ready to go downstairs. I didn't have to say it twice. She stormed out of my room, Nymeria hot on her heels. I rolled my eyes and motioned to Hiver to follow me. With a more measured step I walked out to the main courtyard. That was where we were to wait for the delegation from King's Landing. When I arrived, I saw Sansa looking very beautiful and wearing her Southern-style hair in one of her robes, Rickon playing with Shaggydog, Arya who already had traces of dirt on her. But by the Old Gods, how could she get dirty in such a short time? I was last in line and joined Mother who was arguing with Bran. He had climbed up one of the castle walls again. It terrified me every time he did that.
-Brandon Stark, you've been told over and over again not to do that. You'll end up breaking your neck! I exclaimed in support of Lady Stark's admonition.
He gave me a mischievous smile and a puppy dog look.
-But I like to climb...
-Don't give me that look, it won't work.
My little brother didn't get a chance to call me back, as horns on the wall announced the imminent arrival of the royal delegation and Father asked us to line up. Because of his illegitimate birth, Jon, along with Ghost, had to retreat behind us, which seemed unfair. Why hadn't Father legitimized Jon as a Stark child? King Robert was his friend, he could make the request. No, actually, I knew that. It came from Mother, who couldn't stand it. When I was younger, I didn't understand and I was very angry at her for being so distant with Jon. I remembered a tantrum I had had with my mother and father about it. I think that was the only time I ever yelled at my parents. I was punished for it, by the way. But my intervention had been good. Oh sure, Lady Stark still didn't like Jon, but she no longer looked at him with hostility. There was a cordial, if icy, understanding between them. Unfortunately, with people as proud as the Lannisters, Jon could not be presented as one of us. He was a bastard and bastard he was, bastard he would stay away from our prestigious guests. The first to appear were some guards, they were leading the way for our king. This last one did not delay to materialize in front of us jumping of pain and misery of his horse. He was my faith... Enormous! I had trouble seeing in him the great knight who had knocked down the Targaryen prince with a good blow of his hammer. Today, he wouldn't have knocked anyone down, except maybe by falling on us... On his own horse not far away, there was Prince Joffrey, looking down on us with his blond curls and green eyes. He had inherited the legendary beauty of the queen, there was no denying it. And judging by Sansa's sigh, my sister was not disappointed in her fantasies about him. He seemed to fit what she had imagined of him. As Father and the King gave each other a big hug, I watched as the Queen stepped down from her carriage, which had finally arrived. Her two youngest children in tow, she was escorted by Jaime Lannister, a member of the Kingsguard and a regicide to boot. He had killed his king from behind during the Rebellion. I knew Father didn't trust him. By implication, I was also suspicious of lions, but if I had a chance to ask the knight in golden armor, I would ask him why he had broken his oath to his king.
-Robert, allow me to introduce you to my family. This is my wife, Lady Catelyn. began the northern lord as Mother performed a perfect curtsy.
-Pleased to meet you, My Lady. said the king.
He did the same to my brother Robb, but when he stood before me, even before Father made the introductions, he changed his attitude completely. For some reason, he was staring at me and I thought I saw tears in his eyes.
-Lyanna...? he croaked painfully.
I felt my heart fall into my heels. The king thought I was my... I mean, my sister? The woman he had desperately loved, the woman through whom the war had broken out almost twenty years ago? I had to disabuse him of that notion right away. I was not the reincarnation of his lost love. Something I should also make his wife understand, judging by the glare she was now giving me.
-No Your Grace, my name is Lyarra. I said politely and curtsied as well. I am the daughter of my late mother, whose name I inherited, and Lord Rikard Stark. But I must admit that I consider Lady Catelyn and my brother Eddard to be my father and mother. So don't be surprised if I use those terms about them in the presence of you and your family. May I introduce my sister Sansa? I offer politely.
-You look so much like her. replied the ruler, seemingly unaware of my words.
-True, but I am not Lyanna Stark. I insisted, beginning to feel more than a little embarrassed.
-My daughter is right, Robert. Father interjected. Lyanna is dead and lies in the crypts of Winterfell. Allow me to introduce you to the rest of my family.
And with a firm grip, he introduced the other members of the Starks. When it was the king's turn to introduce his family, he made a vague gesture with his arm, simply pointing to their names. Seeming to have recovered a little, he demanded to go to the grave of the real Lyanna Stark immediately. Queen Cersei protested, more than a little annoyed, which I could understand. It couldn't be easy for her right now. Add to that the fact that the king was always looking at me with a funny look, and she must be running out of patience. Unfortunately for the king's wife, he insisted and left us all alone in the courtyard. There was an awkward silence, which Mother hastened to break.
-Your Majesty, if you will follow us, there are drinks and food waiting for us inside. I believe that it is useless to wait for our husbands outside. She said calmly.
The queen, probably not wanting to lose face or be pitied, nodded curtly and we went into the great hall. The maids hurriedly served hot tea to our guests and withdrew when Mother beckoned. I took my place next to Princess Myrcella, who was looking around with interest, and Sansa, who was staring at Prince Joffrey. Arya had disappeared, which only half surprised me.
-Get a grip, Sansa. It's not right to look at someone like that. I whispered to my sister in a firm tone.
I spoke to our guest with a smile:
- Did you have a good trip, princess Myrcella?
-Oh yes, we saw a lot of landscapes. The North is huge! she exclaimed, delighted.
-It's true. If I'm not mistaken, the North is big enough to hold the other six kingdoms. We are, however, less numerous than you.
We discussed the differences between King's Landing and the North, and then she asked me shyly:
-May I pet your dogs?
-Of course. Sansa replied immediately
-They are wolves, not dogs. I explained, frowning at my sister's quickness. And yes, you can pet Winter or Lady. But ask permission before you go to the other wolves in the pack, Princess. Some of them are a little wilder. Winter, come on, beautiful. I called and she came to stand beside me.
I had no worries with her. I knew that my companion, who may have been unruly, would not hurt a child. Well, not unless the child tried to hurt her, but I doubted the princess would get that kind of attention. I wouldn't have said the same thing judging by the predatory look Prince Joffrey gave our four-legged friends.
-May I? Myrcella asked me again.
-Yes, go ahead. Slowly, start with her neck.
She moved her hand forward and gently ran it through Winter's hair. She smiled and laughed out loud as the animal licked her hands.
-Myrcella, don't touch these animals! the queen interrupted in a stern and disgusted tone.
The little girl lowered her head and immediately sat back down like a daughter of the nobility.
-Your Grace, I can assure you that the princess is safe with Winter. I replied, feeling sorry for my tablemate.
-They are wild beasts. I'm surprised they're allowed in the castle. They might attack someone.
-Please take out your wolves, children. Mother interjected, probably to calm the situation.
However, she only calmed things down on one side... Irritated that the queen was so narrow-minded, I announced that I was withdrawing and stomped out of the room with the four-legged animals. It was going to be a long time at Winterfell. Really long... All I wanted was for them to leave for the South already.
-My sister is not being very kind. Said a voice behind my back.
I turned around and came face to face with a small man. His eyes were two different colors, his hair almost white. I recognized him at once.
-Ser Lannister, please excuse me. I didn't realize you were here. Welcome to Winterfell.
-I'm easy to miss.
-I didn't... I didn't mean to imply that-
-That I'm a dwarf? A thousand apologies. I get that a lot, Miss Lyarra.
He stared at me for a long time and gave an admiring whistle.
-Robert is quite right, you look amazingly like your sister. She was one of the most beautiful flowers in Westeros.
-I know that, but I'm not her. I'm something other than a reflection of Lyanna Stark. As you are more than a dwarf, Ser Lannister.
-I think you're in for a very rough time, My Lady. The Queen will not like you.
-I'm sorry to hear that. I said, scathingly, which triggered my interlocutor's laughter. What's so funny about him?
-You, Miss. You are without question very different from all those flowers that reside in the Red Keep.
-Don't they say that everyone is unique in their own way, Ser Lannister?
-No, Miss Lyarra, but you are certainly one of a kind in all of Westeros.
-As are you.
-May I meet Hiver as well? he asked me after a moment's silence.
-Certainly, but if you don't mind, we'll go outside. Winter prefers the fresh air.
-I'll follow you.
We headed for the main courtyard. The dwarf didn't seem to appreciate the silence, so he asked me again.
-So Lady Lyarra, you are engaged to a northern nobleman?
-I am not betrothed to anyone, Ser Lannister. Are you interested in me?
-In a better world, I might have applied. Has no one ever proposed to you? I don't believe it. You're old enough to get married.
-Actually, there have been a few proposals. The Tullys' son, the Freys, the Reeds for their son, but my father and I turned them all down.
-And why was that?
-Because it would mean leaving Winterfell, perhaps the North. I'm too attached to my home, my roots, to leave.
-I heard the king would like to marry one of his children to one of your brothers, or perhaps to you.
-With me, he will have a great disappointment. I have no desire to marry Prince Joffrey.
-You have no interest in being queen? Besides, it seems my nephew is a young woman's dream.
-No, I have no desire to be queen. And the young ladies think the prince is handsome, but that's all. They don't know him. I admit, he is beautiful, but I don't trust him at all. I can't explain it, but that's how it is.
-You are a wise young woman. replied Tyrion Lannister after a moment of silence. Yes, you are well advised.
-Yes, but sometimes fate decides otherwise, doesn't it? I said wistfully.
I already knew we were going to King's Landing. Father wouldn't turn down the king's offer. My interlocutor and I went out into the courtyard and as promised, I introduced Tyrion to Hiver. His conversation was pleasant and rewarding. He had a wealth of knowledge and wisdom. And I think I can safely say that I held my own in comparison.