Five years had passed since Alexandra had been born or reborn in the world of Westeros. She sometimes still had trouble believing where she was but her newfound family made up for it. Onlookers would have said that she was quieter than most children of her age, but would change their minds if Brandon was around. The two eldest Stark children could banter about the smallest of things but there was no hiding that if one was in trouble the other would help. Alexandra Stark was a smart child, a prodigy, Old Nan would say. At five years of age the small lady of Winterfell could be found in the old library going through tomes often forgetting about the world outside, if not for her mother who always knew where to find her, the she-wolf would've starved.

"Little wolf, it is time for supper" said Lyanna from the doorframe "Won't you join us?"

"Yes mama" said the small girl slowly closing her book, Lyarra awaited for her daughter and offered her hand to her. Alexandra took it gingerly and looked up to her mother.

"How is Ned, mama?" the girl asked, Lyarra smiled.

"He has been missing you little wolf, will you play with him tomorrow in the courtyard?"

"Yes" the Lady of Winterfell laughed as she led her daughter to the great hall. Rickon Stark smiled as he saw his favorite ladies; Alexandra let go of her mother's hand and went to sit next to her older brother, who instantly smiled at her. Lyarra took her place next to her husband, while Ned was contently sitting on his father's lap.

After dinner Alexandra and her mother both walked to the godswood and sat by the weirdwood, Alexandra cuddled up to her mother as Lyarra ran her fingers through her daughter's soft curls.

"My little wolf, what do you think the babe will be?" asked Lyarra, Alexandra looked at her mother with wide silvery grey eyes.

"A girl mama" answered Alexandra solemnly, Lyarra laughed softly.

"Are you sure of that my little wolf?" Alexandra nodded seriously and Lyarra smiled at her daughter, they stayed there in the godswood until Rickon found them once he had gotten the boys to sleep. Alexandra had fallen asleep cuddled to and holding her mother's dress tightly.

"Is she completely asleep?" asked Rickon, Lyarra nodded, Rickon took his daughter in one arm and helped his wife to stand with another.

"Our little wolf believes that we will blessed with another girl," said Lyarra with a smile as she and Rickon walked back into the keep.

"If it's a girl Lyanna shall be her name" said Rickon, Lyarra nodded, the Lady of Winterfell stopped abruptly to regain her breath "Go to our chambers and I will make sure that our little wolf sleeps comfortably" said Rickard, Lyarra smiled at him and nodded pressing a kiss to his cheek and one to her daughter's hair before going to her chambers.

Alexandra Stark despised needlework, a thing that drove Old Nan to the wall, there was no proper way to teach the energetic girl to be a proper lady, the she-wolf was a strong willed one and when she said that she was not doing a thing a thing there was no force in Westeros that could make her do it. The Lord of Winterfell often found himself studying his daughter, there was no doubt that she was a direwolf, an alpha female. His wife often joked that the girl would be queen one day, and as he watched his daughter learning to spar with her brother, a decision he had taken after the girl had almost sliced herself up, he thought that his wife could be right.

Brandon and Alexandra had been sparring with wooden swords all morning, their father close by in case the game got out of line, the Lord of Winterfell had to admit that once his elder children were grown they would be excellent warriors, as they grew their bodies gained stealth and balance, although Alexandra was slightly better than Brandon, Rickon guessed that it was probably because his son distracted very easily while his daughter was always attentive of her brother's moves. Rickon smiled as Alexandra disarmed Brandon, the boy looked up and then dashed to his mother.

"Mother!" Shouted Brandon as he ran towards his mother, Alexandra running not far behind, the very pregnant Lady of Winterfel smiled as she saw her two eldest.

"Yes Brandon?" She asked, the boy stopped in front of her.

"Alex won, girls should not fight, mother, she embarrasses me" he said pouting. Alex snorted next to her brother, Lyarra looked at her daughter with a raised eyebrow.

"Tis not true mother, Bran is just being a babe" the girl said, little Ned who was perched on his mother's lap glanced at his siblings curiously.

"Hush my children" she said to both of them, then she turned her glance towards Brandon " Your sister does well to learn how to wield a sword my darling, for she will make your task of protecting her easier" her son seemed to think about it for a while, then smiled.

"We both have to be the best mother, we will protect Ned and the baby" stated Brandon, Alexandra smiled at her brother and nodded, Lyarra couldn't be prouder of her children.

Alexandra often found peace by the weirdwood, her family was not intrusive when she was in one of her melancholic moods, they were very understanding with her and such respected her decision and allowed her to wander. She was too mature for her sweet five years of age, visitors often thought that she was the eldest. She loved her family, of that there was no doubt in her mind, but she also missed a family of another life, a life that still haunted her.

Old Nan had told Lyarra that great sadness surrounded her little lady, those smart silvery grey eyes held knowledge of terrors that would never come to pass, not while Alexandra Stark drew breath. The girl had promised to herself on her second name-day that she was going to save her family from all, even if she had to make them prisoners of their own home.

Brandon approached his sister as she sat next to the tree, she was his best friend, practically twins, but right now she looked so peaceful for a five year old, that he could not comprehend how she managed to sit still for so long.

"Alex" he called slowly, trying not to spook her, Alexandra opened her eyes to look at her brother and smiled, he grinned at her and nodded, she stood from her spot next to the tree and both children ran to the castle to greet their new sister. Lyanna Stark.

Brandon, Alexandra and Ned watched as their mother fed their newborn sister, Lord Stark was close by in case his wife needed something or the children got too loud.

"She is bald mama, is she really a girl?" asked Brandon after a while, both Lyarra and Rickon laughed.

"Yes my wolf, all babes are born bald, one day she will have her hair as long as Alexandra" said Lyarra, Alexandra smiled at her mother.

"Can I see her closer mama?" asked the small she-wolf, Lyarra nodded and Alexandra approached slowly, carefully Alexandra poked her sister's face and looked up too her mother "She's beautiful"

"That she is little wolf".

Both Lyanna and Alexandra looked alike as they grew, the little girl loved to take after her sister as Ned took after his brother. The four Stark children were a handful to be around. Although they could behave nicely; if asked. Alexandra and Brandon could often be found sparring both at the ages of ten and one and ten and two were deadly with their swords, probably soon to be the best warriors the north had to offer, Ned was not far behind and Lyanna had started her training with wooden swords. Benjen who was still too small to begin his training often sat with Old Nan or his mother to watch his siblings train.

When Alexandra turned ten and three tragedy struck Winterfell as the lovely Lady Lyarra died because of an illness. Alexandra had stayed with her mother until the Lady's last breath, promising her that she was going to keep her family safe, Lyarra had just smiled sweetly at her girl. Alexandra shed many tears for her mother and Rickon recalled that it had been the only time he had seen his elder daughter cry, he didn't want to see his children with tears in their eyes again so he resolved to be an even better father.

When it was time for Ned to be sent away to be fostered (two years later than usual), not two moons after their mother had passed; Alexandra rebelled.

"Father you cannot send him to the Erye" she told him in his study.

"My daughter, he needs to be trained, Jon Arryn is a friend of mine, Eddard needs to be around other young lords," he explained softly to his daughter.

"Promise me something then father" she said after a while, he could see all the calculations running through his daughter's eyes, Old Nan had been right, she was wise beyond her years and he'd do well to take her advise.

"Anything to ease your spirit"

"You wont make betrothal contracts for any of my siblings" she said, Rickon raised his eyebrows.

"Why do you speak of this my daughter,"

"I've heard rumors from around the castle of you wanting to marry Brandon to a Tully girl and me to the Baratheon heir, I won't marry Robert Baratheon, nor will Lyanna" she stated leaving no room for arguments.

"The Baratheons are a good family a connection to the south like that would be beneficial" he tried to explain.

"No, he will grow to be a whoring brute, you promised mother that you would keep us happy father, marrying either Lyanna or I to him would only bring pain and horrors to our lives, we are wolves father and wolves don't get trampled on by stags" Alexandra looked at her father daring him to say otherwise.

"Very well, no Baratheons for my wolves" he said, she smiled brightly at him "What is wrong with the Tully girl then?" He asked his brow furrowing.

"Nothing at all father, its just that it is not Brandon who would be a good husband for her, he's wilder than what a Tully can handle, Ned would suit her better" she said sweetly, her younger brother deserved happiness.

"What of Brandon, he is to be Lord of Winterfell," said Rickon, Alexandra laughed.

"Do not fret father, I'm sure Brendon will find a good Southern girl for him to woo" she said, her father closed his eyes resigned.

"Is this the best path for our family?" He asked, she nodded.

"The old gods will to lead me astray father" she told him softly, he looked into her silvery grey eyes and nodded, Lyarra, many years ago said that Alexandra was a gift, Lyarra had dreamt of a happy girl, Lyarra had also joked that their daughter was meant to be queen, he resolved that he would trust her.

Alexandra hugged her brother Ned for the fifth time that morning, Lyanna sniggered as did Benjen from their spots on their horses, Rickon was trying his best not to laugh.

"Alex let him go now, you're embarrassing him" said Brandon, Alexandra let go of her brother.

"But look at him, he's grown so much, my baby brother" she said with a smile, Ned was blushing they were all in the courtyard of Winterfell.

"He's not a baby anymore Alex, he is ten and six after all" said Brandon, Alexandra turned to stick her tongue out of him.

"He will always be my baby brother as much as Benjen will" she said softly "Now, lets go in, the cooks have prepared a banquet for you and you must be tired and hungry"

Ned was looking down at his plate reflecting on Alexandra's words, she had always been wise, and when their mother had passed she had taken to do the small things their mother did for them, she had practically raised Benjen. He loved his sister, but when she told him that Robert, his best friend, was never going to marry either of his sisters he had wanted to understand.

Alexandra sat with him and explained why he couldn't give Robert hope, Robert was not kind to women, yes he could be a wonderful brother in arms but he only cared about women as long as he was on top and inside them, a lustful pig, Alexandra had called him, Brandon and his father had agreed with her and now, Ned found himself agreeing too, Robert Baratheon was not good enough for any of his sisters.

"Alex, you're distracted" said Brandon holding his sword, Alexandra was wearing breeches and one of his smallest tunics, her hair was held up in a large messy bun with strands falling around her face.

"I know," she said not really paying attention.

"What is troubling your mind Alex?" He asked softly, she looked at him.

"A raven came, from King's Landing, they are holding a feast, for the prince must find a bride to wed," she explained.

"Father asked you to go?" Brandon was looking at her with concern.

"Yes, it is my duty to attend, I just think that our lives will change, winter is coming after all" she said cryptically, a shiver went down Brandon's spine.

"It is, lets just hope it will be a good one" he agreed.