《¤ NED STARK ¤》

Iron Islands

289AC

"Jon Snow, You are the greatest boy who ever lived!" Lyanna Baratheon's girlish hearty laugh echoed across the battle worn coast in front of them. The taste of red wine and a bittersweet smile lingered on Eddard Starks lips while his evergreen eyes wandered onto the scene in front of him. In this rare and glorious moment the bastard of Winterfell was the happiest Eddard had ever seen him. A mop of curly black hair waved in the crisp ocean breeze as the boy of seven dragged behind him the most beautiful of little girls. In this sweet unaware moment Jon Snow was nothing, but a small boy and Lyanna Baratheon first of her name, Princess of the seven kingdoms, was only a pretty little girl. No cares, no worries fell upon the children who were completely and blissfully ignorant as to what their futures had in store.

"NO! She's mine! My PRINCESS!" The most fearsome voice that a seven year old could muster boomed from Robb Stark's leather clad chest as he raced after the two smaller children escaping down the rocky beach of the Iron Islands. Robb's auburn hair filled the lord of Winterfell with warmth as the memory of his lady Catelyn back home ran across his mind with the same joy as the children playing in front of him. His lady had been so beautiful nursing baby Bran in their bed the morning he'd left. Eddard wondered whether or not his son had taken his first steps yet and if they hurried home now would he make it back in time to see them. Jon's first steps while joyous were replaced with the guilt of missing Robb's, Catelyn made damn sure of that.

"Your bastard sure knows how to fight for what he wants Ned!" King Robert Baratheon's drunken voice hooted in a guttural laugh. "He won't get it, but I can respect the boy for trying."

"Suppose he's learned it from us these past few months." Ned smiled empathetically as he watched Jon gleam back at Lyanna with all the joy he could muster. "We fight for the ones we love."

"If that's what you call making Balon Greyjoy shit his soggy wet trousers than please by all means let Cersei Lannister know for me." Robert snorted as wine leaked down his thick black beard. "The blonde bitch won't forgive me for taking her precious 1st born north. Figured she'd be too preoccupied with the new babe, but by the seven hells I was wrong. I thought Tywin's golden arse would make her see how good it would be for Lyanna to meet your boy." He nodded at Ned with a sudden look of business. Ned knew this moment was coming from the minute the King asked him to bring his eldest son along, but if he was being truly honest with himself it was from the moment Robb & Lyanna came into this world. Jon had not received the same invitation, but Cat begged her husband not to leave without the bastard, the same way she did any time Ned stepped foot outside of Winterfell.

"She will be lady of Winterfell Ned and Wardeness of the North." The proud royal smile of Robert Baratheon echoed Ned's fear. Lyanna was to marry Lord Eddard Stark's rightful heir. This was the plan to be hatched before the children even knew what any of the plans truly meant. "I trust you'll raise that boy of yours right."

"Robb is already strong willed and is fiercely protective of his younger sisters. It is an honor and he'll be a fine match for your princess your grace, but-" Ned paused giving Robert the challenging look he always gave him.

"But let it be done there Ned. What argument could you possibly have? Your son would be married to the most beautiful princess in the seven kingdoms. Men across the world would want what he'd have." Robert boomed in nothing, but desperate irritation with the man on his left. As much as Ned got under his skin he knew Robert would always take the time to listen to his concerns.

"That is what troubles me your grace is the men who might feel entitled to Robb's treasures.. High lords might be angry if their King passes over their sons for a wolf boy in the North." Ned doubted Robert ever thought about how this betrothal might anger the men in the South. Robert wanted what he wanted and damned be the man who stopped him from getting it. Ned could see his concerns had done nothing to sway the man beside him. "What if your daughter doesn't want to be lady of Winterfell. She'll be raised in the south and the north is a vastly different world. How can she love my son when he steals her away from her brothers and sister?" It was a hopeless argument, but Ned didn't want it to go unsaid. His marriage to Catelyn had proven to be a happy one, but it didn't start off that way. If you asked him now Catelyn Stark would be the only woman he could ever choose or want, but as a young man Ned might not have even considered Catelyn Tully as an option. He knew from the moment he first looked upon his eldest son that he'd suffer from the same lack of option or control, but Ned hoped he could at least fight for his son's rights in some regards.

"The southern lords can fuck off. I decide who is right for my daughter not Tywin Lannister and I've decided that the right person is your son. As for my daughter I want nothing, but her happiness. Until she reaches her 16th nameday I want her to spend a month once a year in Winterfell. She won't resent him or I for that matter when the time comes, because he will be her family. She will know the north and come to love it or else." The drunken words falling out of the King's mouth shocked Ned to his core. If he had expected something from his King it had not been that today he'd be receiving two wards, Theon of house Greyjoy and the Princess Baratheon.

"Or else what your grace?" Ned asked cautiously.

"Or else I could be marrying her off to one of Walder Frey's many bastards. There are far worse beds she could end up in. I know how the women speak of Stark men, Lyanna will thank me after her wedding night with the young wolf." Robert snorted with a large sloppy laugh and sip of wine.

"This is true but I fear Cat ever hear you. Don't think there is a man in the seven kingdoms who could save you." Ned laughed heartily finally feeling the warm glow of friendship he had missed during the last few months of battles and rebellion.

After the laughter died the two old friends sat and watched the children in a sudden heavy silence for a moment. The weight of reality setting in before them as they watched Lyanna's face glow everytime she glanced at Jon. Ned knew the girl had no real comprehension of why she looked at the curly haired boy the way she did, but he knew that look all too well. It was the same look Catelyn bestowed Ned every time he returned home to her and the look Jon gave Lyanna was the same look Ned always returned Catelyn before taking her in his arms.

"She's MY PRINCESS you will NOT take her from ME!" Robb's young boyish howl echoed along the beach breaking the silence as the 3 children laughed chasing each other with branches of Iron Isle driftwood.

"I WILL NEVER MARRY YOU!" Lyanna roared with laughter back at Robb squeezing Jon's hand and arm even tighter as they made like wind down the beach.

"There you have it my grace." Ned nodded with a smart laugh. "She's already made her decision."

"It's a pity she favors your bastard. She'll have to learn that Princesses don't marry bastards." Robert broke the light hearted air with a sudden slash of harsh reality. "I trust you'll handle that whenever she visits. I'll not have him ruin her."

Ned's face grew into a remorse that was unmistakable as he thought of Jon's mother. If only he could tell his dearest friend why a Baratheon might be drawn to Jon Snow. If Robert only knew how much his eldest daughter was actually like him.

"Jon would be good to your daughter just as well." Ned responded coldly wishing Jon could have the same chance, wants, and dreams that Robb would be given.

"Yes but would Jon come with a castle and an army to protect her? Would my daughter have the Stark name?" Robert questioned in a tone that said the discussion was over. "She'll be lady of Winterfell and that's final." Robert said as he finished his wine slamming it down on the small wooden table between them.

'Forgive me Jon.' Ned whispered in the depths of his mind as he watched the happiness on the little boys face every time Lyanna's waves of Dark chocolate black hair bounced behind her.

"JON." Ned's voice boomed across the beach causing the happiness to fade from the seven year olds face as he stopped in his tracks not letting go of the Princess. "Son come here." He called a little softer this time causing Jon to reluctantly let go of Lyanna's fragile little hand and slowly move up the beach towards the King and his father. She stared after him with a sad look on her face as he left her.

"Your grace." Jon spoke nervously as he politely kneeled in front of Ned's best friend.

"Jon stand." Ned spoke plainly while Robert ignored the both of them, but listened casually with intrigue. "I want you to stand and guard your King, Let Robb and the princess be." Ned's voice could not hide the dismay he felt for the small boy who could not yet understand why his playtime was cut short. Jon as always nodded with no argument like he did whenever Catelyn told him to remove himself. He was a good and obedient boy who deserved more than how he was treated and it killed Ned every time he saw his face fall. Ned would rather watch a 1000 men die than see that look on Jon's face one more time. Ned could see the silent tears welling up in Jon's eyes as he turned and stood strong beside the king staring after Lyanna who was now holding Robb's hand as they splashed in the cold iron water. Ned doubted Jon could fully comprehend what was happening, but for a brief moment he could see a sudden realization on the boys face he had never seen before. A realization that said 'I don't belong here.' It was agony to love someone the way he did the little boy and to know you were the source of their pain.

"Damn you Robert." Ned's harsh whisper cut the air like a knife, but was ignored as four of the kings guard road up the beach towards them. Jamie Lannisters golden hair was hard to miss as he climbed off his horse dragging a small mousy boy by the scruff of his neck. Ned saw the tears streaming down the face of the skinny Greyjoy child as he was thrown down in front of the King and the Warden of the North. Ned noticed Jon flinch as the mousy boy from the Iron Isles had his knees hit the ground.

"I introduce Theon Greyjoy Son of Balon Greyjoy and rightful heir of the Iron Isles." The kingslayer boasted with a cocky self satisfied grin that Ned hated almost more than the tears in Jon's eyes. "I believe he's your ward now my lord."

"Yes and as my ward you will NOT handle him in that fashion ever again in my presence." Ned growled at Jamie in a pure resentful hatred. "Do I make myself clear." Ned barked as he moved to stand the boy of six to his feet.

"Very loudly." The kingslayer snorted with an intolerable amused air to his voice.

"Uncle Jamie!" Lyanna's small voice sang as she struggled to not trip over her dress. She moved in a fierceness that only true love could bring as she ran towards the golden white cloaked knight. Robert looked less than pleased as he scoffed and started another pitcher of wine. There was no denying their shared resentment of the oathbreaker before them and it was unfortunate to see such a pure soul as Lyanna's be so directly tied to a Lannister.

Jamie's face beamed in a genuine happiness that for once Ned noticed held no lies as he scooped up the little princess. He swung her in a fast circle not caring that anyone might notice the vulnerability in his face. The Lannister's may have been the most despicable, spiteful, and hateful house in the seven kingdoms, but Ned could at least see the harsh love they shared for their kin and how scary passionate that love could be. There was no doubt in his mind that the Lannisters loved Robert's children and for that reason and that reason alone, Ned tolerated them.

"Stand and look strong." Ned whispered to the small Greyjoy in front of him. "We never let our enemies see us cry." He told the six year old with a seriousness usually reserved for elder men. The boy had tight red curls that sat neatly upon the top of his head and his body was a skeleton with a pale white cover of skin as it's wrapping. Looking at him you could hardly tell he was a usurper prince. He had no royal qualities to him and looked scared shitless. Ned felt for the boy and knew in an instant he'd treat the boy as his own. The sins of the father should not be treated as sins of the son in Ned's eyes and he would not treat Theon as such. "Robb, I'd like you to take Theon up to the servants and see about filling him up with some treats. He looks like he could use some right about now." Ned smiled warmly at his eldest son who had walked up shortly after the princess.

"I'm Robb Stark heir to Winterfell." Robb spoke seriously as he offered Theon his hand to shake in introduction.

"Please to meet you my lord." Theon shook as he spoke and took Robb's hand. "I am Theon- Theon Greyjoy Prince- uhmm I mean heir of the Iron Isles." He looked cautiously at the grown men surrounding him looking for any sign that he had addressed himself in the wrong fashion, but Robert and Ned only nodded waving them on.

"No wonder Balon Greyjoy was so easy to beat raising little girls like that must be hard." Robert laughed loudly causing Ned to frown to himself.

"Uncle Jamie this is Jon Snow!" Lyanna's excited voice drew their attention as she climbed down the knight's armor and pulled Jon to where her Uncle stood. Jon instantly looked nervous to his father not knowing how to address the man who he had been told nothing about except for the fact he was in the business of killing kings. Ned nodded to his son calmly before giving Robert the same look Jon had given him moments before.

"My lord." Jon almost whispered as he bowed his head nervously towards Jamie Lannister.

"He is Uncle Ned's son! He is the greatest boy who ever lived!" She giggled in the most joyous way. "He is my very best friend." She spoke before hugging Jon quickly and firmly. Ned watched the boy freeze with red cheeks the same way they all did upon hearing this sudden proclamation. Ned knew whatever Robert was worried about preventing had already begun. She loved his son.

"So this is the great bastard I've heard so much about." Jamie snorted in his fake amused way. "I was shocked to hear that I wasn't the only oathbreaker Lord Stark. Glad to see you're human after all." Jamie sneered at Eddard causing the children to grow puzzled as they watched Ned's face grow red in anger.

"My son is someone worth breaking oaths for, Ser Jamie." Ned responded in mock kindness. "Can you say the same for your oath?"

The silence thickened as Jamie's face turned the same angry shade that Ned's had. Lyanna and Jon looked nervously back and forth between the two men before the fiery little girl looked at her Uncle sternly.

"Uncle Jamie can we take Jon home to King's Landing with us?" The little princess pleaded carefully holding the grown knight's hand and breaking the tension. Ned got the feeling that the little girl was used to doing this when she wanted something she knew her father wouldn't give her. Jamie within seconds looked lost for words and looked to the King for help.

"Well Princess Lyan, that is up to your father he is the King and I am only his guard." Ser Jamie laughed nervously. Lyan, pronounced lion, was the name Ned noticed the Lannisters used for Lyanna. Ned knew Queen Cersei despised the name Robert had forced upon the child and she was determined to have her called Princess Lyan throughout the seven kingdoms in representation of the Lannister house sigil instead. Ned had even heard dark rumors that Cersei had servants tongues cut out for referring to the princess by her rightful name of Lyanna. So far the only people that had used the girl's real name thus far had been her father, Ned himself, and to their surprise young Jon Snow. The seven year old had showed no fear in calling the princess by her birth name and in a way it made Ned proud to hear Jon say it so easily. It was Ned's sister, lady Lyanna Stark's name and it seemed right to hear Jon speak it.

"There is no need for that Lyanna." King Robert commanded as he stood to move in between Jon and his daughter. "You will be spending a month every year with your Uncle Ned. You will see the Snow child during that time."

"OH! Thank you father!" Lyanna's smile grew wide across her face as she wrapped her arms around Robert's middle section that if Ned didn't know any better appeared to be a little fuller than it once was before the rebellion.

"You can't be serious." Jamie scoffed in a sudden defiance that could only come from a kinglslayer. "Does my sister know about this? Does my father know you plan on marrying her to a Stark?! Robb is his name right? SHE'S SEVEN YEARS OLD AND YOU'VE ALREADY SOLD HER." Jamie's anger welled in his throat as he had to try and prevent himself from yelling at his King.

"Robb?! No father!" Lyanna gasped as she pulled away from him and stood next to her Uncle. "You can't! I don't want to marry Robb! I just want to play with Jon! You can't make me!" Her voice whined as she tried not to cry.

"I AM THE DAMN KING." Robert boomed with a scarlet color to his temple, the veins popping there in frustration. Jon nervously moved to hide behind Eddard while Lyanna's eyes grew wide with tears, but she stood firm in her place. "YOUR SON WILL MARRY MY DAUGHTER." He roared at Ned before turning to Jamie. "YOUR SISTER AND YOUR FATHER WILL DO AS I COMMAND FOR I AM THEIR KING." Jamie scoffed again as Robert than looked at his young daughter. "AND YOU MY PRINCESS... I love you with every fiber of my being there is not a man in the Seven hells I wouldn't kill for you, but so help me if you ever speak to me in that way in front of my guest again there won't be a man in all the world that could save you." A deep growl bellowed from his chest. You will marry a bloody chair if I ask you to do so. You have 9 years to get used to the idea of marrying Robb Stark so you might as well start now. AND THAT GOES FOR ALL OF YOU." Robert's voice left a haunting echo as he threw his chair aside and marched up the beach towards the encampment they were staying in.

Lyanna cried angry hot tears as she stomped to follow her father in a remarkable similarity. Ned could see how much trouble they were all in store for the moment the girl reached her teenage years. She had Robert's temper, but already Ned could see the cunning look of Cersei in the girl's green Lannister eyes.

"If you think my sister will let her first born marry your son you don't know your Queen." Jamie spoke through an angry whisper as he moved close to Eddard Stark's face.

"Is that a threat?" Ned asked moving closer to the kingslayer until he could smell his own breath coming back to him. Jamie laughed casually as he stepped back. "I guess we'll both see in the next nine years." Jamie roughed up Jon's hair as he went to move past Ned. "Keep your bastards hands off my niece or he won't have any." Jamie growled pulling his horse to him while following the young Princess and the King's path towards the encampment leaving Ned there alone with his son when the rest of the kings guard followed.

Ned turned to his son who looked dazed and angry as he stared off in the direction that Princess Lyanna had disappeared. Even for a small boy of seven his expression was very brooding and he wore his emotions plainly. He reminded Ned so much of his younger sister in that moment. She had been small and brooding too whenever she felt wronged or slighted in some way. Ned missed her more than you could possibly miss another person, but it was in these moments with Jon he felt close to her again.

"You are thinking son. Spit it out." Ned spoke in the serious way he always did when he wanted his sons to learn something.

"I know the King is great and we should respect all of his decisions, but-" Jon began, but was quickly interupted by his father. "Everything before the word 'but' is horse shit. If you have something you'd like to say you say it out right." Ned saw on the little boys face that he thought long and hard about his next words, he could see the determination in Jon's strong brow as he doubted his next move but Ned knew he'd say it just the same.

"I think Lyanna should be able to do as she pleases. She doesn't want to marry Robb. She likes adventure and stories! Robb wants to be a Lord in a castle! Why should she have to do what the King and Robb wants?! Lyanna won't be happy! I want her to be happy!" Jon grew louder as he continued. Ned only smiled in response while moving to kneel in front of him.

"She's 'Princess' Lyanna to you Jon. You have to refer to her as such." Ned lectured in a soft humorous way emphasizing the word Princess.

"The King is your best friend and you call him Robert." Jon argued in a very clever way. "Lyanna is my friend. She hates it when I call her Princess."

Ned smiled fighting back a laugh knowing his son had won his argument. He put a hand on Jon's shoulder while the boy's face remained serious and intense.

"Princess Lyanna might be your friend, but-" Ned began, but this time Jon interrupted echoing his own words. "You said yourself everything that comes before the word 'but' is horse shit."

Ned's laugh could not be hidden any longer as he stood again motioning Jon to walk with him. "She is a Princess before she is anything else and as a Princess she has a duty to her house. One of those duties being that she creates a house of her own. The Princess and Robb will have their own children and their children will have children and that is how great families like ours continue to protect the realm."

"And I am a bastard before anything else?" Jon's voice was sudden and sad as he stopped looking down at his feet. "That's why Robb will marry Lyanna and I won't."

Ned was as equally amazed as he was saddened by how much Jon understood. Ned had underestimated the boy entirely. Jon was more mature than most children his age and that truth was even more evident now.

"Not before everything, but in this instance? Yes." Ned spoke plainly hating the unfairness, but he had to be honest with the boy. He lifted Jon's chin to look at him as he knelt once more. "Princess Lyanna can't marry you, because the King wants her to have the Stark name. The Stark name will protect her. Snow cannot."

Once again the boy contemplated long and hard wearing every thought that crossed over his eyes. This look was even more determined than the last.

"Lyanna doesn't need my name." Jon stood firmly and puffed out his chest. "I'll protect her no matter what."

Ned smiled feeling so much pride in his son that his chest might burst if he wasn't so equally remorsed by the guilt of the situation. He brought Jon in for a hug burying his hand in the boys thick mop of curls, whispering to him as he did so. "I will say I think the Princess had one thing right. You my son might be the greatest boy alive."

《9 years later》

298AC

LYANNA BARATHEON

King's Road

"I should be out there on a horse next to Joff." Lyanna Baratheon rolled her eyes stroking her little brother Tommen's golden hair as he slept soundly with his head on her lap. "I am father's first born! I should be introducing the King's men to Winterfell not hiding like a child in a carriage. I know these people I should be the face they see as we ride through the gates."

"We've been over this. I will not say it again." Queen Cersei snapped at her eldest daughter as she downed the last sip of wine in her cup. "I will not have you in danger because you are eager to see some boy."

"Do we get to meet Jon Snow and Robb Stark?" Princess Myrcella asked her older sister excitedly making Lyanna smirk as she saw Cersei's green eyes grow cold. "Will they teach me how to shoot a bow?" Myrcella gasped with a giggle.

"Absolutely not." Cersei hissed. "We are not staying long and I don't want any of you going near the Stark children. Do you hear me?" Cersei looked at both of them with a danger in her heated eyes that would scare most men. The look was returned by Lyanna who was not phased by her mother. No matter how powerful and dangerous the Queen tried to seem Lyanna had her father the King, her grandfather lord of Casterly Rock, and her two uncles, one of which was an anointed knight, wrapped around her finger. If any child could get what they wanted it was Lyanna Baratheon.

"Good thing Jon Snow is not a Stark." Lyanna spoke clearly with a smirk as she sipped on her own glass of wine. The fire in Cersei's eyes were a specific kind of fire that only her eldest child could flame. Lyanna was by far her mother's most challenging child and she wasn't even the one who killed small animals in their free time.

"Even the King wants you to avoid that boy and if you don't watch your tongue I am sure your grandfather could use the company at Casterly Rock. Maybe he'll even find you a more suitable southern lord." Cersei threatened with a tilt of her blonde head.

"Father would never allow it." Lyanna spat back at her mother with a hint of doubt in her voice.

"Maybe years ago, but now the crown is in debt to the one and only Lord Tywin Lannister. One good conversation and your grandfather might be able to sway the King." Cersei smiled with a curl of her top lip and a bite of her teeth knowing she had the girl backed into a corner. "You won't marry until your 17th nameday. That won't be for another 9 months. Don't test your luck."

"Why can't you just be happy for me?" Lyanna asked with angry knitted eyebrows as a softness in her eyes begged her mother to be human for just this once. "I know you hate father, but I actually happen to like the family I will be wed to. I've known them since I was a girl and they've always been good to me."

"My Lyan..." Cersei's eyes changed as she reached forward and took both her daughters by the hands. "My Myrcella... you are both my my sweet baby girls. When you are both mothers you will come to understand. Nothing will stop you from loving your babies. No mother is prepared to face the agony of parting with her child, especially your first born." The queen turned to meet Lyanna's eyes. "Even if that first born does everything to disappoint you." And with the stab to Lyanna's heart Cersei let go of her daughters hand quickly. The Queen had a grin on her face that told Lyanna her mother had every intention of hurting her feelings.

"I heard Robb is very handsome." Myrcella giggled ignoring the tension in the air as Tommen stirred in his sleep.

"That he is." Lyanna smiled briefly trying to hide the hurt on her face before she slammed back the last of her wine. She refused to meet Cersei's gaze again as the carriage continued to shake towards Winterfell. As the silence grew thick and heavy so did Lyanna's anger until she could no longer stand it. She sat up Tommen who woke rather confused and puzzled by the sudden interruption. Before Cersei could react properly Lyanna had stood and threw open the carriage door causing the driver to pull back the horses in a sudden hault as she half jumped, half stumbled, out of the moving carriage.

"LYAN." Cersei's voice hissed as she peered out the open door. "GET BACK HERE AT ONCE."

Lyanna had no response only slammed the door in her mother's face as she stomped ahead in the mud soaking the bottom inch of her golden satin gown. She had no actual plan or any clue as to where she was heading she just knew she could not be anywhere near her mother any longer.

"Your grace. Where are you going?!" Asked the carriage driver nervously as she ignored him and moved forward struggling to navigate her footing.

"Yes your grace... Where are YOU going?" Jamie Lannisters quizzical voice sounded from a horse behind her while she struggled through the mud.

"AWAY FROM CERSEI." Lyanna spat back at the knight not stopping once as she moved towards the front of the parade. King's men stopped confused and shocked as she walked past them. "Your sister is a right bitch you know that?!" Lyanna didn't care who heard her including the Queen. She wanted them all to know what she thought of her dearest mother. All Jamie could do was laugh as he watched the young soon to be woman before him. She had more of her mother's fire in her than she even realized.

"I owe Tyrion 3 gold dragons now thanks to you." Jamie snorted as he galloped next to his niece. "I bet that you wouldn't make it 5 miles with my sister in that box. He said a mile." Jamie cocked a smirk as he saw the red in his nieces face. "He was almost correct of course since we just past the half mile mark from last night's camp."

"OH FUCK OFF." She shouted not being able to ignore his amusement any longer. He only laughed as they grew near the front of the parade where Prince Joffrey rode next to the hound. "GET ME MY DAMN HORSE." Lyanna shouted at a nearby squire who rode nervously away as he said "Yes my Princess."

"You are both going to be the death of each other." Jamie laughed as he moved to where he could protect his niece should something happen as he rode along. "She is your mother and I promise she loves you more than anyone in the seven kingdoms could." With that Lyanna stopped dead in her tracks and gave a look that could kill. "You can tell yourself that Uncle, but I know the truth." Lyanna spoke harshly as the squire returned with her white Dornish stallion. She climbed the beautiful white horse she had named Lyara quickly tearing her gown at the bottom as she did so.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Joffrey's whiny howl echoed through the forest as Lyanna rode past him with Lyara leaving her Uncle behind. "I COMMAND YOU TO GO BACK AT ONCE."

"You're not the King you twat!" Lyanna spat back at him riding ahead of the parade causing whispers and a slight chaos to follow her wake.

"LYAN!" Jamie's voice called after her as she rode quickly ahead, but his horse was quicker catching her in an instant. It took the knight nothing to reach down and grab her reins. "YOU CAN'T JUST RIDE OFF LIKE THAT." Jamie hissed. "I understand you're pissed, but do you know how many rapist linger on the King's road? Murderers? Slavers? Do you know how many dragons a man could get for your ransom? Have you lost your ever loving mind?" The only thing she had been thinking when she rode off was how far could she get away from her mother. She hadn't realized the stupidity until she heard the utter distress her uncle Knight's voice.

Finally her stormy temper calmed seeing the desperate worry on her uncle's face as he held their reins steady. It was hard for her to feel her mother's love most of the time, but it was never hard with her Uncle. She knew the depths Jamie and Tyrion both would go to for her. Her father's brother Renly had always been kind to her and she liked whenever she got to see her Uncle Stannis because it meant seeing her young cousin Shireen, but they were not nearly as close to her as her two Lannister Uncles nor did she feel like they cared in the same way.

"Ride with me the rest of the way and I promise I'll talk with your mother..." The knight spoke softer as he patted her shoulder. "We'll see if I can ease the trouble you'll be in."

"I don't see how." Lyanna smirked as the royal caravan began to catch up with them.

"I am a whole lot nicer to her than you are." Jamie responded with a raised brow as he turned them back to the parade of King's men. Lyanna rolled her eyes at her Uncle as they moved to ride behind Joffrey who protested briefly before being squashed by Lyanna's quick wit and older sister demeanor. Joffrey was a bully, but he could never hold an argument well against his sister. She beat him and out smarted him at every single turn.

"I can't believe you actually like this place." Her Uncle scoffed looking around at the forest surrounding them. "Are you actually happy when you come here or is it just to please your father?" He asked her rather curiously and with a genuine concern that Cersei Lannister could never give.

"It is the happiest month of the year for me. No Cersei. No smell of shit and piss in the streets. No politics. No expectations." Lyanna spoke with a bitter hiss in her voice as she described King's Landing. It was shithole of a city yet it was the capital and people flocked there like sheep. "In Winterfell they listen. The air is fresh, the people are humble, and all they expect of me is to eat well and live simply."

"Sounds boring if you ask me." Jamie stated simply.

"Well I didn't ask and have you ever thought just maybe... that I want a little more boring in my life?" Lyanna retorted. "Do you even know how tiring it is being Lyanna Baratheon Princess of the seven kingdoms? I spend most my year traveling just to get away from that damned title."

"I don't know I'd say it's pretty tiring being your Uncle." Jamie mocked her causing her to shove him in the shoulder playfully. They fell into a comfortable silence smiling to themselves while riding behind Joffrey and Ser Sandor Clegane.

"Promise me that no matter what happens you will tell me if you're not happy here." Her Uncle whispered to where Joffrey could not hear in a tone that surprised Lyanna. "I don't care what your father says, I don't care what my sister or anyone else does. If you're not happy I WILL take care of it. Nothing else matters. Do you understand me?"

Lyanna looked at him doing her best to understand every word that fell from his mouth with absolute certainty. She nodded to her Uncle with a soft beautiful smile that rested on pink rosey lips.

"You have my word."