Notes
Today is December 30, so happy new year in advance. 😊
YEAR 300
LYARRA I
Being Starfall's heiress was never easy, at least not for Lya. She never had the freedom she would have wanted, the freedom they gave Jon. She felt bad about being envious of her own brother, but she didn't deny her feelings either. It may be that in Dorne women inherited, but men continued to take the glory by fighting with swords.
Her relationship with Jon would never be easy. Not only for being a possible bearer of Down but for stealing Princess Arianne's friendship. Lya remembered it well, she and the princess began to be friends until she became interested in Jon and since then they did not talk about anything other than the young prodigy of House Dayne. Then she had to walk away, excusing herself with the many duties she had in Starfall.
"I see it", Edric said, "there.
Lya took the spyglass and looked in the direction Edric was pointing. Then she saw it, a ship with black sails, a Night's Watch ship carrying Benjen Stark with it.
A couple of hours later, the ship arrived at the port, where Lyarra and Edric were waiting.
"Uncle!" shouted Edric with effusion when he visualized Benjen Stark. "Lyarra greeted him with much more courtesy."
"My nephews", replied Uncle Benjen. "How are you?"
"We're fine, uncle", Lya replied. "We are honored with your presence; few black brothers have visited Starfall. Join us to the castle, father is not there, but he sent a messenger to warn that he will be here tomorrow at noon."
"We had good winds", replied her uncle as if excusing himself for arriving early", I hope Ned will not be embarrassed for not receiving me."
"I'll convince him not to give a sermon", joked Lya, causing her paternal uncle to smile.
With Uncle Benjen came five men, former Starfall guards returning to greet their families. Lya knew that King Robert had insisted that Ser Arthur Dayne never leave the Wall, yet his fury did not extend to normal men. Perhaps she should thank the gods for it, although she was not sure, House Dayne's political position was quite peculiar, not to say awkward.
On the one hand, her father spent the entire Robert Rebellion secluded in Starfall, keeping the Daynes as a house loyal to the Targaryens. On the other, her uncle Lord Ulrick Dayne had died in the battle, leaving her mother as lady of the castle and thus with questionable loyalty. Her mother had spent the next few years befriending Prince Doran, which she had achieved, or so Arianne's father would have herd.
"Am I coming at a bad time?" a voice asked as Lya entered the castle. The voice belonged to Darkstar, her secret lover.
"Gerold", Edric muttered, making a bad face.
"Will you join the Watch, cousin?" asked Gerold as he greeted Uncle Benjen and his men. "I hope you do, being a maester is quite boring, not to say enslaving."
"I will forge my links, Ser Gerold", said Edric, proud of the path he had chosen.
"Although we need masters at the Wall, Edric", Uncle Benjen intervened. Old Maester Aemon will not be with us much longer, he may not be the most attractive option, but he is honorable. Plus, Ser Arthur will be glad to have you around."
"Let's go into the castle", Lya ordered, " It's almost dark and I don't think anyone else will visit us", and she gave Gerold a mischievous look."
That night there was a banquet in honor of Night's Watch. Since her uncle Arthur joined the Watch after the war, everyone in Starfall began to appreciate the old institution. And since her uncle Arthur had been Lord Commander of the Watch for ten years, half of Dorne made some periodic donations.
Lya did not hide that she preferred that no one should have to spend their days at the Wall. For her it was nothing more than a frozen prison and she found it hard to understand why her uncle Benjen entered voluntarily. In any case, it was not for her to question the world, because even when she was the lady of Starfall she would have to hide her opinions to save her prestige.
"Visit me when everyone has fallen asleep", she whispered to Gerold when the banquet was over.
Gerold obeyed, he always did. When they fell in love it was she who sought to please him, even so, over time the situation was reversed and it was she who managed to manipulate him. Lyarra was aware of her beauty, for in the words of many she had a strange combination of northern and Dornish aspects. Lya liked to be beautiful, because thanks to her beauty she could have as a lover the most handsome man in Dorne.
"Lya, my pretty lady, when will I be able to marry you?" Gerold asked after making love.
"That's up to you, Darkstar", Lya replied, mocking the nickname Gerold had given himself.
"Your mother spends a lot of time in Sunspear, I suspect she wants to marry Prince Quentyn, how can I compete with a prince?"
"Quentyn is ugly", Lya scoffed, "and he doesn't seem interested in women. Or so Arianne told me."
"Is your brother in Sunspear?"
"Yes", Lya admitted. You know, he's the squire of the Red Viper."
"And Arianne's lover."
"Can you blame him? All Dorne would like to be in its place."
"I know my place well", he snapped.
"Don't lie Gerold, I've seen you watching her."
Gerold didn't answer, just kissed her.
"Your father will kill me if he finds me here."
"You're lucky he's out. It has long failed to comply with the northern tradition of not resorting to executioners.
There was a little lie in his words. Her father, Lord Eddard, had never executed anyone, for as a second son he was not destined to rule. As a consort he did not have many judicial functions either, although it was enough to mention his northern customs to scare Gerold a little, who despite his braggart attitude had a kind of respect for Lord Eddard. Lyarra didn't know the reason, but she liked to know that her beloved father was respected.
Notes
Changes regarding the canon:
NORTH
Lord Brandon Stark. Lord of Winterfell and Lord Paramount of the North. Married to Lady Catelyn Tully. Descendants:
Cregan Stark, born in 283. Engaged to Lyra Mormont.
Barthogan Stark, born in 287. Engaged to Danny Dustin.
Torhen Stark. Born in 289.
Eddard Stark. Born in 281.
Recognized bastard sons:
Rodrik Snow. Son of Barbrey Ryswell. Born in 284.
Lord Willam Dustin, Lord of Barrowton. Married to Barra Flint. Descendants:
Brandon Dustin. Born in 286.
Danny Dustin. Born in 289.
Martyn Dustin. Born in 293.
DORNE
PrÃncipe Doran Martell. Lord of Sunspear and Prince of Dorne. Married to Mellario of Norvos. Descendants:
Arianne Martell. Born in 276.
Quentyn Martell. Born in 281.
Trystane Martell. Born in 287
Lady Ashara Dayne. Lady of Starfall. Married to Eddard Stark. Descendants:
Lyarra Dayne. Born in 282. Heiress of Starfall.
Jon Dayne. Born in 283.
Edric Dayne. Born in 283.
Emma Dayne. Born in 286.
THE WALL
Westwatch-by-the-Bridge: Commander Jeor Mormont.
Shadow Tower: Commander Denys Mallister
Hoarfrost Hill: Commander Bowen Marsh
Black Castle: Lord Commander Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning.
Rimegate: Commander Oswell Whent
Eastwatch-by-the-Sea: Commander Cotter Pyke