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 much damage?
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 4 : THE ROYAL BANQUET
Nothing was too good for the king apparently. The feast on the tables and the background music were incredible. I couldn't remember a time when such a wide range of refinement and variety had been displayed for visitors to Winterfell. But then, these were southerners after all. They were used to the cream of the crop, unlike us, who had to huddle together in lean times. I stopped myself from exulting when I saw the queen on the stage glaring at me as I made my entrance, clinging to her brother. She wasn't the only one staring at us in disbelief. Sansa looked at me in outrage, which wasn't all that surprising. Lady Stark rolled her eyes as Arya threw a victory fist at me. As I looked around, I saw Father shaking his head with a discreet smile on his face and Robb, whose shoulders were twitching, no doubt trying to suppress his mirth. It was done, I had made my effect by arriving thus at the banquet. Well, I had to admit, the fact that he was small and I was a tall person didn't help us, but that was the least of my worries. As for the dance, we were going to make do.
-Lady Lyarra, where should we sit? By the royal family or another table? My date asked, a laughing gleam in his eye.
-I think the company of pigs would be more pleasant than some of the people here tonight, Ser Tyrion. Alas, we don't have much choice in our seats, do we? I replied with a smile.
-We can always run away, my lady, we can always run away. You must know this castle like the back of your hand.
-We'll have to run fast, Lord Stark's men may be sent to bring us back. You have quite a reputation, even in the North. I added, laughing and winking at him.
The latter accompanied me in my hilarity, to the greatest annoyance of his sister. We resumed our seriousness when we arrived at the table.
-My dear brother. Made the queen of a sweet tone. Thank you for honoring us with your presence tonight. I'm sorry, I told Lady Stark that you wouldn't be coming to feast with us. I believe there is no room for you despite your small size. As for you, my dear, I thought you might sit with my two youngest children. You made a strong impression on them today. she added honeyed.
-Majesty, I would be delighted to chaperone your children. However, it would be indelicate to leave my date to his own devices. Don't worry about us. We'll go sit with the men. Their conversations may not be as interesting as yours, but we'll make the best of it. I smiled coldly at the queen and made a small bow. Ser Tyrion, come, I know where the best beer of the evening will be served.
-Good evening Cersei. said Tyrion with a mocking smile.
We left a red-faced sovereign to join Jon, sitting in the back.
-Lyarra? You should be with the royal family and Father. he said in surprise.
-The queen didn't want my date. Can we sit?
-Of course. invited Jon who was looking at Tyrion with curiosity.
He and I took a seat on a bench and I made the presentations.
-So this beer? Where is it? smiled the youngest of the Lannister siblings mischievously.
-Patience, Lord Tyrion, patience. Erastark's maple ale will come in time. I smiled amused.
-Maple beer from Grand Island? My tablemate marveled. It is so rare in the south. And yet, so famous. As prized as the wine of Dorne.
-The Erastarks, who are, as you probably know, a cousin family of ours, produce only a small amount of beer. They prefer to trade the sap of their trees in syrup, butter and sugar. I explained.
-And some of them abuse it, don't they? Jon interjected and gave me a shy smile.
For my part, I blushed with embarrassment. He had dared to evoke this embarrassing moment in front of a guest? He was going to pay for it.
-Any juicy secrets to tell me, Lady Lyarra? Tyrion asked curiously and offered me a mocking smile.
-No, absolutely not. I protested, trying not to lose face.
-Strangely, I don't believe you.
-She really likes maple syrup. Especially with toast.
-Jon, please! I exclaimed, growing more and more scarlet.
-It is delicious. Tyrion admitted.
-But not to the point of having your hands full of it and deciding at the same time to run your hand through your hair... Syrup, it sticks.
Here it is, my soon-to-be dead brother had recounted a mortifying moment in my young life. I had had my hands stuck in my hair, which the family had found very funny, and me very embarrassing. They even had to cut my hair because it was so dirty and stuck. Ashamed, I stayed hidden in my room for two days. Until Jon came and got me out. Nasty. Now he was betraying me by telling that anecdote... And Tyrion laughing out loud! I decided to sulk for a while, while they laughed at my expense, but my eyes widened in surprise when I saw a man enter the room. It was Uncle Benjen!
-Lord Tyrion, Jon, I'll be right back. Get to know each other in the meantime or laugh at me... But I'll remember! I threatened them.
I jumped to my feet and dashed between the benches occupied by the soldiers to join the first patrolman of the Night's Watch.
-Uncle Benjen! I exclaimed as I reached him.
It may not have been dignified and respectable, but I didn't care. I gave him a long hug. I would have jumped on his neck, but I wasn't five anymore... Too bad, I was going to smother him in my arms.
-If it is not the rebel of the North. He answered me by answering my embrace.
I laughed softly at that remark. Benjen and I had a slightly more special bond in the family. When my mother died, he was the one who named me and took care of me while Eddard went to war against the Targaryens. We were the only two Starks at Winterfell. He stayed until I was five, when he decided to join the Night's Watch. I didn't take the news very well. His visits were a great joy to me and we had a fairly constant correspondence. That is, when he wasn't away on a mission on the other side of the Wall.
-I missed you so much... I'm so glad to see you.
-I'm so glad to see you. My uncle smiled at me and stepped back to examine me more carefully. You're getting better every month. he complimented me.
A compliment that I accepted by turning pink. If the flattery of strangers left me unmoved, I was always very pleased by those who mattered to me.
- I'm sitting with Jon over there.
I pointed to my table. I saw him frown as he realized that, one, I was sitting with Jon, who wasn't always welcome at banquets, and two, I was sitting opposite the Starks and Baratheons on the dais.
-Are you being punished again? What have you done? he questioned me.
-I just locked the queen in a closet. I joked.
-Lyarra... my uncle grumbled harshly.
-It's nothing. There was no room for my date and me at the table. So we went to sit with Jon. Are you coming to sit with us?
-Yes, after talking with our brother... Your date? Do you have any news for me? he asked with great interest.
-News?
-Well, I know that Ned is actively seeking a suitable husband as is Lady Catelyn, so...
-No! He's not my fiancé. There's been a misunderstanding. Lord Tyrion accompanied me to this party. That's why the queen refused to have him at her table. We all know how much she loves him. It's not a state secret.
-With Tyrion Lannister... Why am I not even surprised?
Her reflection made me laugh again and I kissed her on the cheek.
-I'm glad you were able to visit us. Go talk to Father. I'll be waiting with Jon and Tyrion at our table. Don't forget me, or I'll come looking for you.
And twirling about myself, I returned to my bench with my fellow party members.
-Tell me you have a plan to make my sister disappear? Tyrion asked with a smile.
-Do you think she'd like a stay at our expense in the cold lands beyond the Wall? A sovereign place to recuperate.
-By the Seven, you make me dream, Lady Lyarra!
-Was that Uncle Benjen I saw coming? Jon asked hopefully.
-Yes, he is here. I am so glad to see him again.
My smile faded a little. Jon was probably glad he came too, but not quite for the same reasons I was...
-I... Um... Are you still planning to go to the Wall? I asked, embarrassed.
-I have no future in Westeros. Especially as a bastard.
He glanced at Tyrion, which I didn't understand, but I decided not to ask him about it.
-The king seems to like me... Maybe I could ask him, right now, to do it. To legitimize you.
I hadn't made a move when Jon and Tyrion grabbed my wrists and held me in place.
-You're crazy! You can't go and ask the king openly to do that. That's for Lord Stark to do. Tyrion told me sternly.
-Lyarra, don't get involved in this. This is none of your business.
Here it is, my soon-to-be dead brother had recounted a mortifying moment in my young life. I had had my hands stuck in my hair, which the family had found very funny, and me very embarrassing. They even had to cut my hair because it was so dirty and stuck. Ashamed, I stayed hidden in my room for two days. Until Jon came and got me out. Nasty. Now he was betraying me by telling that anecdote... And Tyrion laughing out loud! I decided to sulk for a while, while they laughed at my expense, but my eyes widened in surprise when I saw a man enter the room. It was Uncle Benjen!
-Lord Tyrion, Jon, I'll be right back. Get to know each other in the meantime or laugh at me... But I'll remember! I threatened them.
I jumped to my feet and dashed between the benches occupied by the soldiers to join the first patrolman of the Night's Watch.
-Uncle Benjen! I exclaimed as I reached him.
It may not have been dignified and respectable, but I didn't care. I gave him a long hug. I would have jumped on his neck, but I wasn't five anymore... Too bad, I was going to smother him in my arms.
-If it is not the rebel of the North. He answered me by answering my embrace.
I laughed softly at that remark. Benjen and I had a slightly more special bond in the family. When my mother died, he was the one who named me and took care of me while Eddard went to war against the Targaryens. We were the only two Starks at Winterfell. He stayed until I was five, when he decided to join the Night's Watch. I didn't take the news very well. His visits were a great joy to me and we had a fairly constant correspondence. That is, when he wasn't away on a mission on the other side of the Wall.
-I missed you so much... I'm so glad to see you.
-I'm so glad to see you. My uncle smiled at me and stepped back to examine me more carefully. You're getting better every month. he complimented me.
A compliment that I accepted by turning pink. If the flattery of strangers left me unmoved, I was always very pleased by those who mattered to me.
- I'm sitting with Jon over there.
I pointed to my table. I saw him frown as he realized that, one, I was sitting with Jon, who wasn't always welcome at banquets, and two, I was sitting opposite the Starks and Baratheons on the dais.
-Are you being punished again? What have you done? he questioned me.
-I just locked the queen in a closet. I joked.
-Lyarra... my uncle grumbled harshly.
-It's nothing. There was no room for my date and me at the table. So we went to sit with Jon. Are you coming to sit with us?
-Yes, after talking with our brother... Your date? Do you have any news for me? he asked with great interest.
-News?
-Well, I know that Ned is actively seeking a suitable husband as is Lady Catelyn, so...
-No! He's not my fiancé. There's been a misunderstanding. Lord Tyrion accompanied me to this party. That's why the queen refused to have him at her table. We all know how much she loves him. It's not a state secret.
-With Tyrion Lannister... Why am I not even surprised?
Her reflection made me laugh again and I kissed her on the cheek.
-I'm glad you were able to visit us. Go talk to Father. I'll be waiting with Jon and Tyrion at our table. Don't forget me, or I'll come looking for you.
And twirling about myself, I returned to my bench with my fellow party members.
-Tell me you have a plan to make my sister disappear? Tyrion asked with a smile.
-Do you think she'd like a stay at our expense in the cold lands beyond the Wall? A sovereign place to recuperate.
-By the Seven, you make me dream, Lady Lyarra!
-Was that Uncle Benjen I saw coming? Jon asked hopefully.
-Yes, he is here. I am so glad to see him again.
My smile faded a little. Jon was probably glad he came too, but not quite for the same reasons I was...
-I... Um... Are you still planning to go to the Wall? I asked, embarrassed.
-I have no future in Westeros. Especially as a bastard.
He glanced at Tyrion, which I didn't understand, but I decided not to ask him about it.
-The king seems to like me... Maybe I could ask him, right now, to do it. To legitimize you.
I hadn't made a move when Jon and Tyrion grabbed my wrists and held me in place.
-You're crazy! You can't go and ask the king openly to do that. That's for Lord Stark to do. Tyrion told me sternly.
-Lyarra, don't get involved in this. This is none of your business. Jon says.
-Okay, I won't do anything. Can you let go of me now? I said, contrite.
-No. Swear before. I know you.
-Jon!
-Swear it. And do it fast, the longer I hold you like this, the harsher the consequences if I'm caught. And you don't want that.
-All right, I swear! I'm not going to intercede on your behalf with King Robert so that you can be legitimized. But I want you to know that I find this situation very unfair.
Jon smiled and let go of me while Tyrion looked at me with a strange look. Damn, had he seen through me? My promise was open to interpretation. But I was determined to do nothing tonight. But with the King at Winterfell, I might be able to do something about it. I just didn't want to get caught. Otherwise, I'd be locked in my room until the eternal summer came.
-Could you wait before you go to the Wall?
-Lyarra... Jon growled.
-You know that if you weren't my nephew, I would have begged Father to give me to you. I'm sure we would have made a lovely couple. I said, ignoring my brother's blush and Tyrion's laughter.
-Lady Lyarra, King's Landing will never survive if you ever come to the capital. laughed the queen's brother.
-What of it? The Targaryens married brother and sister. Why not aunt and nephew? Besides, Jon and I don't want kids. It would be the perfect solution.
-You're forgetting Lady Catelyn. She wouldn't approve. She has great expectations of you.
-I know, I know. I say sadly.
Everyone always wanted me to do very specific things. I couldn't decide for myself? I would have liked to become a maester, but that was reserved for men, I would have preferred not to get married, and I was going to have to do that, I would have liked to stay in the North to be close to my family, but it seemed that I had to go south. Although I had a taste for adventure... I hated my life at times.
-Here, this will do you good. Tyrion said and handed me a mug of beer. Unfortunately, I haven't found the right one. Are you sure there are any here?
-We're the Starks, of course we do. I said in a falsely haughty attitude, which made Tyrion smile again.
He loved my humor and I loved his in return.
-She's not allowed to drink alcohol. Jon began.
He rolled his eyes when he saw me take a few gulps in defiance.
-Something to say, Lord Jon? I asked defiantly.
-If Father catches you, you're on your own. he grumbled.
-I love you too, nephew. But for a future soldier of the Night's Watch, you're not very brave. Leaving your poor aunt to her fate.
-I think you'd be able to keep all the wildlings at bay. Although... No, they'll slaughter you just so they don't have to hear you!
We all burst out laughing. Even me. I knew I was a real pain in the ass.
The evening continued with the gentlemen drinking beer and laughing, with Benjen joining in fairly quickly. Tyrion bombarded him with questions about the height of the Wall and Jon about his possibility of joining the Guard. I didn't hide my displeasure. I was delighted to see that Benjen thought as I did. Jon was too young for his project. He had closed himself off to any other possible future in the North or even elsewhere in Westeros. There was more to the world than the hostility of the royal family and the cold cordiality of Lady Stark of Winterfell. I was willing to make any concessions if my uncle could convince my brother to wait before joining the soldiers at the Wall. I didn't want to see another of my kin put in danger. But I had time to think about it at my leisure tomorrow, because they weren't leaving tonight. I was having a perfect evening. That is, until Sansa came to meet me.
-Lyarra, Mother and the Queen would like you to end the evening with them. Father too. she said, playing with her fingers.
-You're wanted, you can't refuse this time. Tyrion said to me with a sympathetic look.
-We will see each other tomorrow, Lyarra. Benjen said, and Jon nodded his head in agreement.
It was nice, my companions were now chasing me away from their table. Though perhaps there were some topics they wished to discuss in my absence. I nodded in their direction to greet them and stood up.
-Very well, thank you Sansa. I sighed. I follow you.
And I reluctantly followed her to the stage. The rest of the evening was going to be very boring now.