A/N: Quick tidbit, as of yet, I have no official plans for a pairing for Lyanna. Also, I know I said Forrester would be in this fic, they will soon. Last item, this being a Game of Thrones Fanfic, there will be some heartbreak. I hate it too, however, 'the strongest steel is made from the hottest fires'. As always enjoy and comment below.
Lyanna sat there is the dining hall slowing nursing her second cup of wine, watching the people eat, drink and generally having a fun time. King Robert especially liked all of the serving women. She looked at the Queen, she may as well as had a stone mask on her face for all the emotion she showed. Lyanna looked away before the Queen could kill her with that look.
"Mother," she leaned over to her mother "I think I may retire for the night." Really she just didn't want to be around these people any longer than necessary. Jon usually practiced his sword at night when no one else was around. Maybe a spar with him would calm her down for the night and allow her to sleep.
Her mother gave her a look but nodded none the less. As she was getting up, her twin turned around and looked at her. She waved him off and bid him a silent good night. Being twins, they were always connected on some level. When she was younger and sad about something, Robb would always know and come find her. Sometimes she missed those days, but that was in the past.
She walked out into the courtyard and looked around. Jon was having an interesting conversation with Tyrion. While she didn't agreed with everything Tyrion said, it may be the exact thing he needed to hear to move on with his life. She watched Tyrion walk away and stepped over to Jon, leaning against the rail behind the straw dummy.
"Are you doing okay, Jon?" Lyanna asked him, she hated to ask him this question. He always hated it, thinking everyone was pitying him for being a bastard. He nodded but didn't say anything. Maybe he had finally found some small acceptance within himself. She grabbed a dull training sword from the weapons rack, giving it a few swings.
"You know that isn't very ladylike, nor would it be proper for me to spar with you." Jon said to her, getting into a stance "You being a girl and all, you should be finding a husband and –"he had to jump to the side to avoid an overhead swing from Lyanna. She didn't give him a chance to stop, always trying to keep him off balance. Parry, slash, block, thrust, a dance that kept repeating the same steps over and over. Jon was better trained but only due to the fact that he was a boy and could start training earlier than she could.
But where Jon was stronger than her, Lyanna was faster than Jon which led to a rather even spar. She came at him again, clashing with him as their arms and swords shook. Thinking quickly, she stepped back, almost as if she was running out of strength. Jon pushed forward to try and end it. Stepping to the side as Jon went forward, Lyanna punched him in the face and as he went down she brought her sword to his head.
"Looks like this is my win Jon." She said as she helped him up. He gave her a grim smile and went back to the practice dummy.
"Aye, Jon it looks like the little lady wins this one. Thankfully none of the wildings seems to have her skill or else Castle Black would have a lot less men." A voice called out to the two of them from the dark. Benjen Stark stepped out of the dark and looked at his brother's family. Not yet, 40 but still strong and lean. He smiled at them and held out his arm to them.
"Uncle Benjen" Both Lyanna and Jon said in surprise. Both walked up to him and hugged him. Benjen didn't come down south very often but all Starks loved him for the sacrifice he made when he left to join the Night's Watch. He had done well for himself, First Ranger even. While he did not favor any children above the other, Jon would always be the one that identified with Benjen most.
Smiling at her uncle, Lyanna nodded at both of them before bidding them goodnight. Exhausted as she was, she would definitely get a good night's sleep. Putting up the sparring sword, Lyanna left as she heard Benjen and Jon talk about Castle Black. She suddenly stopped and looked around, she was being watched and she didn't like it. Benjen and Jon were talking to each other and didn't even glance her way. One last look and she glared into the night, she hated people who lingered in the dark. Heading towards her bed chambers, she missed the small gleam of red and gold that shined briefly.
She was in the middle of cleaning out Little Warrior's stall the next day when her father came to her and told her of his decision to accept the position of Hand of the King. He had taught all his children the Old Way, if she was to ride Little Warrior, it was her job to clean up after him. She smiled at him before she answered him.
"Of course father, I never really expected anything else. You have always been a man of honor and duty. I can only hope to live up to your example father." Lyanna told him sincerely. She was proud of the man her father was. He had taught them right from wrong and how to live honorably.
Eddard was quiet as he listened to his eldest daughter speak. He looked at her and saw his sister, Gods how he missed her some days. He took a moment before looking at her and speaking again.
"The King wishes to combine our Houses, with the marriage of Prince Joffery and Sansa." He didn't miss the look of relief that came over her face as she was not the one to marry. "I know Arya will drive your mother ragged if I leave her here, so she will be coming as well. Interestingly enough Queen Cersei has inquired about you coming as well. I told her that I would present the decision to you."
This confused Lyanna, she had hardly spent any time in the presence of the Queen to warrant an inquiry. She thought carefully on her options, this was the first time her father had actively sought her opinion on a decision. On one hand, she would get to see a little of the world, on the other, it would mean leaving home and her twin. They had never spent so much time apart, but she was not worried for him. Robb Stark would be a fine Lord Stark and Warden of the North while her father traveled south to help King Robert keep his Iron Throne.
"Father," she answered him "I would be glad to accompany you south to Kings Landing. However, I would ask one thing in return." She waited while he thought this over. She had never been greedy or envious of others. Her first request for something had come when she asked to teach the whores to read and write. Lyanna was a soul who wished to give back to the world and make its suffering easier. When he nodded his head to hear her request, he was surprised by her again. "I wish to squire for you father. To squire for the Hand of the King. I want to learn how a kingdom is ruled father, and maybe I just want to spend some time with my father. To give him new views, if the Lord Hand should ask them of me. Please father, let me do this."
Eddard Stark kept his face neutral as he listened to his daughter. What she had asked for had never been done before. Women were not supposed to be squires, let alone Knights when the squire was done for their liege lord. But then again, she had not asked out of glory for her name or power. She had asked so that she could learn and pass on knowledge and reconnect with her father. He saw no dishonesty in her eyes and could find no fault with her request. With a somber nod, he gave his answer. If he was truly honest with himself, her answering smile was worth the headache this would cause.
"Very well, as soon as we leave for the capitol, you will be my squire. But I would not be expecting a Knighthood at all. I'll expect nothing less than I would any other squire." He would not give her a false sense of what her job would entail. She would do the work or she would not be his squire very long. He left her there in the stables to finish up her chores and go about her day. Robert and he were due out to go hunting later today. She would have to prepare on her own, after all, Winter is Coming.
Halfway across the world, a blonde haired girl walked for what felt like an eternity towards the man who would be her husband. She had done this for her brother, so he could have back the Iron Throne and the crown. She would endure whatever came next, but a small part of her deep within her soul cried out. Please, anyone, help me. Fate would not let this cry go unanswered.
Lyanna was in the middle of training Shadow when she heard the cry go up. She ran in the direction and came upon a sight that would be forever locked in her mind. Her brother, Bran, lying unmoving on the ground. His direwolf, Summer, was licking his face in an attempt to wake him. Her mother was in a panic, desperately trying to not give in the tears that threaten to spill. Maester Luwin was next to her, working his fingers over him in an attempt to see what could be done.
"By all the Gods, he's alive Lady Stark!" Luwin told her quickly. Robb came and picked him up, taking him up to his room whiles his mother and Maester Luwin followed. Her father and the King had left under an hour ago, but he would still need to be notified. She sprinted towards the stables and almost barreled right into Jaime Lannister.
"Whoa, what's all the big commotion about?" he asked with a cocky smile. Her reply was terse and to the point.
"I need to notify my father that my brother has fallen. Your pardon." Without waiting for him to reply, she moved around him and quickly saddled up Little Warrior. When Jaime started to saddle up the horse in the next stall, he simply nodded at her and offered his help in finding the King. Lyanna only nodded and pulled Little Warrior into the courtyard and mounted up. Finding the Kingslayer next to her, she took off at a gallop and didn't look back. Was this punishment for her family? Brandon had never done anything wrong outside of being a boy of 10. He got into trouble but all children did.
She couldn't dwell on it now, first her father was to be notified and then they would all find out what happened to him. And if anything could be done for him.
A/N: Well there ya have another chapter. I am trying to match a chapter with an episode from GoT. Next Chapter we will see the trek south on The Kingsroad. At the moment I am currently working on the next chapter, so it may be out sooner (fingers crossed). Always happy to hear from you guys. Especially one of my favorite authors :). Review if ya want to. Ja Ne
