1. A Sweet Summer Child:
Lyanna inhaled deep the cool breeze of summer that surrounded the outside of Winterfell. At only sixteen name days old. Lyanna had only known a harsh but quickly winter and a very long warm summer. Except summers in the North did not meant warmth, but a less unforgiving cold. Nevertheless she welcomed the nice weather and the feeling of freedom:
This morning Lyanna avoided all of her siblings and duties to take a ride alone outside the castle walls. Despite loving very much her siblings. Sometimes, eight teens and children, herself included, were definitely too much to bear. Lyanna went all the way to Wintertown, passed by a few acquaintances, crossed the bridge and decided to follow a path inside the Wolfswood, only after arriving at a stream of water and making for a stop she decided it was time to return to the castle.
After all she had an immense list of errands to do and couldn't waste an entire morning wandering around in the woods. In the past few months Lady Stark had doubled efforts to make Lyanna's life even more difficult in Winterfell. The Lady had forbidden all of the servants to attend on Lyanna and her twin, Jon. Which meant that before attending to her lady lessons with Sansa that her father insisted she should have. the girl now had to go looking after everything on her own: water for her bath, cleaning and mending her clothes and bedroom, feeding herself. Lyanna knew she still had more than most people but she couldn't avoid feeling angered by this. Despite, it wasn't just about her most basic needs, she had to look after her brother's too. What upsetted her the most is that she barely had time free to take her studies in the library with Maester Luwin or to have sparring lessons with her older brothers. And of course there was the lack of action by her father regarding Lady Catelyn's pettiness.
After a hard time trying to suppress her sadness Lyanna decided to ride back to Winterfell.
When she returned the castle had burst into life, she first saw Ser Rodrik Cassel giving sword-fight lessons to her older brothers, Robb and Jon, along with Theon. Jon had caught sight of Lyanna in her horse and gave her a warm smile before blocking one of Theon's attacks. The others did not notice her and she went to the stables to dismount her horse. Jory Cassel was the one who received her:
- "Lyanna!" - the man exclaimed with a mixed expression of relief and joy upon seeing her.
- "Good morning, Jory!" - the girl greeted back.
- " Where have you been? You father has been worried sick. Even sent me looking for you through the whole castle"
- "Just went for an early morning ride, Jory. Nothing much. You can tell him that I'm on my way to the Septa's lessons now".
- "Not so fast" - he said blocking her way - "He wants to see you in his solar. Right now. Told me to scort you back".
- "Seriously?" - Lyanna asked in shock - "Why?".
- "Do not know. Probably some important business"
Lyanna stood a little worried. She did not know what business could be so important that her father summoned her so early in the morning. Could it be that the Lady Catelyn finally convinced her father to kick her out of Winterfell? Would she be forced to join the Faith of the Seven as a Septa or the Silent Sisters? - The girl panicked a little at the thought but quickly dismissed the silly idea. Her father loved her. He would never do anything like that to her. Or Would he?
As if sensing her inner debate Jory tried to appease her:
- "Come on now, sweet girl. I'm sure it's nothing bad. Might even be a surprise. Better not leave the Lord waiting" and gave her a warm smile.
With no other options Lyanna followed him.
Truth be told Jory Cassel fancied Lyanna Snow. He had a soft spot for her and would always indulge on her. One day, a few years ago he had walked on Lyanna crying in front of the Weirwood Tree. When he confronted her about it she said she feared her future knowing very well no one would ever want to marry a bastard girl and babbled about how the Greyjoy told her she would have to resign in been his whore. That same night Jory managed to teach a lesson on the Greyjoy Warden that had him with some spank marks. And after that Jory dreamed about one day marrying his liege lord's daughter. But Lyanna was in fact oblivious to his feelings.
Upon arriving Lord Eddard Stark's solar Jory knocked on the door and delivered his daughter.
"Found her, m'lord" - he declared.
"Thank you, Jory. That will be all" - Eddard said dismissing the man to his duties.
"Good morning, father!" - Lyanna said standing out in the door.
"Lyla, come here" - her father approached to kiss her forehead - "What were you up to?" Eddard tried to lighten her up a little upon seeing her so sad.
"Nothing! Just went to a ride in the woods." - she told him omissing the reason why she even went.
"Alone again?" - he scolded. "Lyanna you know very well that i don't want you wandering around all alone anymore. You are a grown woman now and bad things can happen! You should have asked to Jon or Robb to accompany you"
- "There's nothing to worry about it, dad! I know my way around." - she defended - "Plus, i really needed some time alone. You know that things haven't been exactly great around here lately"
Lyanna decided to unload, tired of keeping It all to herself. Lady Catelyn was being a cunt to her and her father needed to do something about it.
"You know of your wife's treatment towards me ever since you made me attend those damn Lady lessons that she demanded was for Sansa only. You have to know, dad!" - she demanded - "How can you let her treat us that way? Jon and I, we are your children as well! - the girl finally pleaded.
"Oh Sweety" - the lord moved to hug his little girl.
Out of the three of his girls Lyanna was his favorite. He knew very well he wasn't supposed to favor any of his children. But he couldn't help It. Out of the three girls, Lyanna was only his. His wife always resented his bastards, so he alone took the time to raise her and Jon. But Jon being a boy had to have a strict upbringing. Lyanna was different though. She looked so much like his own sister long deceased that he couldn't help but spoil her a little, but Catelyn hated every aspect of it. And now with Sansa growing into puberty, Catelyn made sure to define a line between Lyanna, his bastard and Sansa his heir.
"I know, my girl! I know it haven't been easy." - Lord Stark conforted her - " that's why i called you here".
Lyanna looked him with curious eyes. An smile almost forming in her lips.
"I'm sorry you and your brother had to suffer from my mistakes but I promise you this will soon be over. I decided that it's time to look for a marriage for you. I've set an dowry for you, a big one."
Lyanna broke inside. She couldn't believe what she was hearing him say. It was her stepmother that was the one mistreating her, yet… she is the one that has to go, to leave the only home she ever knew. She knew she should be grateful that her father was looking after her future. But she knew her odds: what man would actually be interested in a bastard bride with a big a dowry? Certainly, not the kinds or honests one, despite it all, she didn't really wanted to be married, not to just anyone. So, to think that her father was only rushing into the matter just because he didn't want to confront his wife. That was heartbreaking.
"But, father?" - Lyanna started fully intending to speak her mind, but changed mid sentence - "Who would even want to marry me? I'm a bastard, with no name backing me up."
At this her father looked very serious at her:
"Listen to me carefully, child." - he started - "The world may see you as a bastard, that I cannot change. You may not have my name, but you have my blood. I love you very much, and I will protect you until the end of my life. As long as the Starks rules, the North will back you up. Never forget that, are we clear?"
Lyanna nodded at him feeling a little more calm and went for another embrace from her father. After a long minute her father began again:
"Plus, we are not rushing into this. I'll only deliver your hand at a man worthy of you. I have written to Jon Arryn asking him to help me find you a suitor. I've also exchanged letters with Roose Bolton, the man has no heirs, except for his bastard. It is not ideal but can be promising. Nonetheless, I'll not marry you without your consent, that much I can promise you.
" I understand, father!" - resigned herself that moment. Tt was nothing final, so it would be useless to arrange a fight with her father now, especially with him being so thoughtful, it would be better to wait and see how it all unfolds. "I have to go now, Septa Mordane will be very mad for my lateness."
"Just say that you were with me, and she can bring me her complaints." - it was his final words.
After leaving her father Lyanna went to the courtyard looking for her brother but Jon wasn't there anymore. She decided to head back to those dammed lady lessons after all. She would bring the news to Jon later.
Morning and afternoon went by uneventful. She, Sansa and Arya listened to Septa Mordane for almost an entire day. Arya, despite so young already gave signs she would be somewhat the black sheep of the family. Her little sister was a funny little thing, mocking the septa and Sansa whenever she could, and the rest of the time she would just struggle to get all the overwhelming embroidery, dancing, singing, drawing, courtesy and language lessons. Sansa on the other hand was just on the way to the become the ever so beautiful, accomplished and perfect little lady. Despite a bit too much shallow and mean to Lyanna's liking. Sansa was indeed becoming her mother. Caught in between there stood Lyanna, excelling most of it. Lyanna loved singing and learning new languages, and dancing as well. She was just fine with the rest. But just like Arya she couldn't avoid feeling boring, the boys had so much more options in comparison.
Finally, before supper Lyanna was released and went to her bedroom to freshen up. When she went inside she saw her brother sitting on her bed.
"Where have you been all day long, Lyla?" - He asked her somewhat demanding, somewhat needy.