The ringing in her left ear would not stop. Right eye was almost swollen shut and what little vision she possess in her left was tinged red from the blood moving down her face. That is going to leave a scar Lyanna thought tiredly. She was cut across her face and her arms felt heavy and painful, not counting the bruises. Lyanna looked down at the body below her, eyes already glassy, body going cold from the lack of life, her sword was driven so far through the body she was sure it was embedded in the ground. Watching as a small wolf pendant lay on the ground next to the body, before it was swallowed up in a rising pool of blood.
It was the last image she saw before she fell to the side and a creeping darkness swarmed what little vision she had. Lyanna felt the ground next to her pound as bodies came closer. Voices lost their clarity and were just distant rumbles. She was falling, or maybe being picked up, she had no idea what was what anymore. One last thought entered her mind before she stopped clinging to the edge of consciousness. Why? She thought. Why did it have to end this way?
Yesterday Morning
A soft knocking pulled Lyanna from the sleep she felt she desperately needed. The men of Castle Black had mourned and celebrated far into the night. She groaned and rolled over, silently willing away whoever was still knocking. Getting up and throwing a robe around her bare shoulders Lyanna made her way over to the door and opened it a small ways. Jon Snow was on the other side of it and she let him in before closing the door to keep the cold out.
"Well, don't you look like crap." He spoke bluntly, and had Lyanna not been incredibly tired she may have smacked him. But she could feel what he was talking about, looking in a dish that had been polished to shine to act as a mirror. Dark circles grew under her eyes, her cheeks looked hollow, and she felt as if her body was 20 years older. Lyanna looked back at Jon and simply smiled and nodded at him. Moving around a small divider, Lyanna grabbed her clothing and changed.
Since coming back to the North, gone was the simple shirts, the layers and thick coat was back. She was back in her homeland but could still not go home. But furthermore, she could not stall now. They were so close, but the last mile of her journey just seemed to stretch further and further. Finished dressing, she moved over and grabbed the rest of her gear. Following Jon out into the courtyard, Lyanna was greeted to the sight of her soldiers and the Night's Watch working side by side. Some training, others going about their morning routine.
"Today I will move the rest of my army out of Castle Black." Lyanna told Jon. "You simply can't afford us more space and food." Truthfully, Lyanna supposed, she should be telling this to Acting-Commander Thorne but the man is insufferable, alongside his second in command. Seeing the face of Janos Slynt, Lyanna had almost run him through with her blade had Jon not stopped her. Lyanna had told the man in no uncertain terms that if she caught him outside of Castle Black, she would make sure that nobody would find his body.
Jon only nodded at her while they walked, simply enjoying spending his little free time with his sister. Even though he had his brothers of the Watch, Lyanna Stark was one of a kind and the light she brought into his life was precious. She smiled at him before a confused look was turned to him, she quickly started to search her person in a panicky state before holding out a small package to him.
"I made this for you on my voyage back to Westeros. Couldn't spend all my time with the Sellswords." Lyanna told him with a smile and chuckle. Unwrapping the package, Jon pulled out a small necklace with a small carved wolf pendant. It wasn't particularly detailed, but well made for someone who didn't show a skill in whittling. However, before Jon could express his gratitude, a horn was blown from the top of the Wall and both Lyanna and Jon looked up sharply before rushing to their own men to shout out orders. Jon placed the necklace in his pocket before he could lose it.
By the time Lyanna and her forces were able to get ready and make it through the gate, another army was already attacking the Free Folk, scattering them. She had her forces block the entrance of The Wall, forming a half-circle around it. Taking a small number with her, Lyanna rode towards the army with reckless abandon. She could already hear Mance shouting at his people to stand down.
Seeing a soldier rushing on horseback towards Mance, Lyanna spurred her own horse faster. The man was so startled that when he finally saw her, he pulled his reins so far back that his horse reared up and threw the man from his seat. Not stopping, she made her way to Mance and dismounted, hearing the sounds of Asher and Beskha dismounting behind her.
"Stand down men!" A older voice called out. Lyanna looked out towards it and saw two men riding towards them. Truthfully, Lyanna had a little grateful for the command. Whoever this was, they had split their force in two and pincer attacked Mance and his army, using tactics unfamiliar to the Wildlings and mounted combat against them. Both were older than her father was, but she recognized neither. Lyanna did recognize the Stag of House Baratheon, but whoever had the field of fire was a mystery.
Dismounting, both men began walking towards Lyanna and Mance, one foolish Wildling grabbed his axe and charged at them only to be cut down by a rider. Moving to stand next to Jon, Lyanna put her sword away and nodded to the others to do so as well.
"Your the King Beyond the Wall?" the first man asked. Lyanna could tell by his tone that the man was High borne. Mance only smiled cockily, and nodded in the affirmative.
"This is Stannis Baratheon, the one true King of the 7 Kingdoms." The other man stated to which Mance calmly told them both that they were not in the 7 Kingdoms, nor were they dressed for the weather. Lyanna took a moment to look at Jon, sending him a questioning look if this man could be Stannis Baratheon. Stannis informed Mance that is was customary to kneel when surrendering to a King. Lyanna almost rolled her eyes, the Free Folk would never kneel to this man. Stannis proceeded to capture every one of the Free Folk with exception to Mance himself.
"What's a man of the Night's Watch and a well-dressed woman doing in a Wildling camp?" The other man asked, looking between Jon and Lyanna and at the assembled men behind them.
"We came out to see who attacked the Free Folk camp," Jon said calmly. "we were able to call a truce last night and stop the attack."
"Your speaking to the One True King boy, you will address him as Your Grace."
"I know he is the King, Our father died for him." Jon told them quietly, moving to stand beside Lyanna. Stannis was quiet as he looked back at Jon with hesitation. "My name is Jon Snow, Your Grace. I'm Ned Stark son. This is Lyanna Stark, oldest daughter of Ned Stark." Stannis was quiet as he and his companion digested this new information.
"Your Father was an honorable man." Stannis said to which both Jon and Lyanna nodded. "What do you think he would have done with him?" Stannis motioned to Mance.
"I was this man's prisoner once, he could have tortured me, could have killed me. But he spared my life, I think my father would have taken him prisoner, listened to what he had to say." Again Stannis was quiet before ordering Mance's capture. "Your Grace, if my father had seen the things I've seen, he would also tell to burn the dead before nightfall. All of them."
The rest of Castle Black was shocked now that they had 2 armies camping so closely and within Castle Black. As she had promised, Lyanna had all her forces with the exception to herself, Asher and Beskha, camp farther away. However, with the fight for Castle Black over and done with, the Nights Watch would need to declare a new Lord Commander. They felt that a decision should be made all the more now that they were to play host to Stannis Baratheon.
One nomination was Alliser Throne, current Acting Commander, while another was Denys Mallister from the Shadowtower. But that wasn't suppose to happen until later, right now Lyanna was doing all she could avoid Stannis and his 'Hand'. She wanted to be away from this man as quickly as she could, alas it seemed the Gods were not with her at the moment.
"Greetings Lady Stark," a soft sultry voice caught her off guard as she turned a corner. "My Lord Stannis has asked for you a few times now. He seems quite taken with the fact that a living full blooded Stark is so close by."
"My brother is as much a Stark as I am." Lyanna countered heatedly, turning and looking at the woman in question. Lyanna had never seen her before, and in a simple red dress she was not dressed for the weather up here. She may have more than a few men wrapped around her fingers, but all Lyanna saw was a dangerous creature before her. Like the Sirens Theon use to claim were real.
"While that may be true, the law would disagree. However, Lord Stannis has deemed that if Jon Snow can get the Wildlings to join under his banner then Jon shall be named Stark. Of course, if you were to take back Winterfell for yourself, you could as well but who better to finalize his name than the Prince of Light. But we have wondered off topic, His Grace has asked for your presence during the Lord Commander choosing later today. He is not in the habit of asking a third time." With that the Red Woman walked away to deliver a message to Jon Snow.
Lyanna stood there for several minutes just watching the spot the woman had occupied, mostly she was conflicted. She suppose to she should be playing nice with Stannis Baratheon. But all she could think of was how Stannis had failed to save her father. It was unfair of her to have that kind of expectation, but he was the man her father had told the truth to, a truth that had him beheaded.
"Damn it." Lyanna muttered darkly before continuing towards her chambers.
Later that night, Lyanna sat quietly around a small fire next to Asher, Beskha and the Direwolves. She could hear the commotion coming from the Night's Watch Dining Hall, she had told Stannis' Hand, Ser Davos Seaworth, that she was declining the 'King's' invitation to the choosing. She never realized that the hands of fate were already spinning.
Ser Davos sat quietly, waiting for the last of the men of the Night's Watch to walk out of the room. They had just finished holding the choosing of a new Lord Commander, Jon Snow was now Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. His King had already left to go and talk to the Lord Commander, possibly regarding the Wildling, with them under his command, King Stannis would add almost a quarter more to his army.
Getting up and walking up to the table which held the leaders of the Night's Watch, Davos leaned down and looked closely at the tiles which had been used to count the votes. Davos admired the systems, where the people would chose their leader. While not a perfect setup, it would ensure that a majority of the people would be happy with the choice. Smirking softly, Davos shook his head and turned away.
Walking towards the door, his foot kicked something small underneath a nearby bench. Kneeling down, he reached out and held up a small necklace with a roughly carved animal figure attached to it. Hmm he thought, must have fallen off one of the brothers while they left. Placing the necklace in his pocket continued on, maybe later, he would find the owner but at the moment, he was late to meeting.
Walking out of the food hall, he walked for only a few moments before opening another door and was assaulted with a hug from the young Princess. Returning the hug and patting her head, Davos removed his weapon and cloak before heading to the desk he had been using. Messages were piled up by now and he would have to read and respond to them in a timely manner.
While Davos was preoccupied with the correspondences from various Lords and Ladies, he never noticed the small hands of the Princess reach for the necklace that hung out of his pocket of his cloak. He didn't notice the way she looked at it with curiosity.
Lyanna congratulated Jon of his promotion to Lord Commander. He smiled in an embarrassed way, but she could tell he was happy with the result. They stood next to a fire, Jon was still trying to acclimate to his role and was simply looking for some quiet away from his brothers. However, their moment was disrupted as the sound of many men making their way towards the two. Turning towards them, Lyanna and Jon noticed Kings Stannis and Ser Davos in front of at least twenty of his men, all were armed.
"Lyanna Stark," Stannis called out to her. "You have been avoiding me too long, you will bend the knee and swear your service and troops to me or I shall have to arrested, tried and executed." He explained in a bored tone, however as he finished his men moved up and surrounded her. She contemplated pulling her sword and fighting, but Jon stopped her by placing his arm on hers.
"Its late, My Lord, surely this can wait until tomorrow." Jon was calm as he spoke, but there was steel in his voice. Stannis had been given the hospitality of the Night's Watch, it would not do to upset their host. Thinking for a moment, Stannis nodded. Motioning to a few of his guards to take the Stark woman away.
"Fine but she will locked up and secured to make sure neither her nor her companions try and sneak off into the night."
Jon nodded and then turned to Lyanna, pleading with her to just give in while she had the chance now. While she was not happy with it, she started to make her way back to the room she had been using. When she made her way inside, two of Stannis' men took position outside her door. Closing the door, Lyanna moved over and sat down on her bed, tomorrow was sure to be a long day, unless of course she lost her head.
Lyanna hadn't realized that she was asleep until the pounding on her door started. A voice she didn't recognize only told her that it was time to see the king. Putting on her best clothes and cloak, Lyanna donned her weapon and walked out the door with her head held high. Her guards had changed during the time she was asleep, and while they did not touch her as she was led towards the King, Lyanna could almost feel the aggression coming off of these men.
Apparently Stannis had decided to hold her response in the middle of the courtyard of Castle Black, and everyone had been told, even his wife and child. And yes, while many of his men stood behind their King, Lyanna had her own army with her. Nervousness had crept into the men of Castle Black as they stood between the two armies, both on the verge of chaos. Stannis looked displeased, but Lyanna was starting to think that was how he always looked.
"Lyanna Stark, bend the knee and swear fealty to me now, or make peace with your Gods and be executed." Stannis called out succinctly. He was tired of dealing with this child, Eddard Stark be damned. She just stood there, staring at him with a bored expression. Ser Davos expression changed from serious to worried in only a few short moments that Lyanna remained silent.
"Lord Stannis, I must regretfully tell you that I will not be bending my knee to you. Truthfully, I don't care anymore who sits on the Iron Throne, because I certainty do not want that honor. Honestly, Your Grace," Lyanna spoke with a mocking tone. "I think you are too set in your ways to make a good King, too quick to punish when mercy is required. No, I will not bend the knee and you will not have my support."
Stannis' face looked like a tomato with how angry he was. Davos and Melisandre were both confused and perplexed by the answer given by the Stark, while Stannis' wife and daughter and his army was shocked. When Stannis had finally lost all patience with the Stark, he shouted to his guards.
"Guards, arrest her! Lyanna Stark, you are guilty of treason and you will be executed!" Stannis spat out angrily. While his guards drew their weapons and started moving towards the Stark woman, Lyanna whistled sharply and her own army drew their blades. While the two armies stared at each other, wondering who would act first, the Night's Watch was tense and while they hadn't drawn weapons, their hands were close to the weapons and they were very nervous.
"Stannis Baratheon of House Baratheon, this here is Castle Black. No Lord or Lady holds sway here, so if you want my head you had better be prepared for come take it yourself." Pulling out her own sword and pointing it at Stannis. "You accuse me of treason and put me on this false trial, well here is my answer. I demand a trial by combat."
"So be it." Stannis replied before he drew his own sword and walked towards her. His daughter started to run towards her father but was stopped by Ser Davos. While Lyanna knew he was older than her, Stannis would also have the benefit of experience. Lyanna became concerned when Stannis came right at her, raising his sword for an overhead strike, Lyanna groaned under the strength of it.
When her knees started to buckle under the pressure, Lyanna put her left hand on the flat backside of her sword halfway down its length. Using the leverage, she brought the sword points towards the ground and her pointed guard towards his face. Leaning back, Stannis dodge the blow and watched as Lyanna become wide open. Bringing his sword down again for another swing, this time Stannis aimed for her right arm, intending to cut off her sword arm and finish this farce as quickly as possible.
Seeing the impending maiming coming towards her, holding onto the blade of her sword, she let go of the handle and by moving it was able to received a shallow cut across her forearm. The pain in one arm and the uneven weight in the other threw Lyanna off too much and she let go of her sword. Before she could even scramble to pick it up, Stannis was in front of her striking the pommel of his sword against her face and catching her in the right eye, knocking her off her feet and several feet away.
Grabbing at her face, Lyanna could feel it start to bruise. Reaching down, Stannis picked up the weapon and examined it closely while maintaining the Stark woman would stay where she was, he was marveled by the craftsmanship. He grinned wickedly however when he saw a brazier burning not far off and placed the sword blade first into it. Stepping back he put himself between her and her weapon. Coming at her quickly, Stannis began to attack her with a passion as she was weaponless. Lyanna dodge everything she could, but still he was leaving shallow cuts along her torso and arms when her speed failed her.
It was disquieting to Lyanna when she was suddenly hearing the voice of Selmy Barristan as he was telling her a story of how he was once disarmed during a fight and still won the fight. A man with a sword has reach and while this is a boon it can also be a folly. Understanding filled her head as once again Stannis advanced on her, only instead of moving back to avoid him she instead stepped towards him, inside his reach where his sword would not help him.
While Stannis was surprised by the sudden proximity of the Stark woman, Lyanna punched him in the jaw. Wrapping her left arm around his right forearm, Lyanna held tight as she tried to punch Stannis continually and get him to drop his sword. However she lacked to strength and skills to accomplish both at the same time. Stannis was now blocking her strikes to his face while trying to pull his sword back. Twisting away from Stannis quickly, she bent his arm back, leaving him with the option of losing his sword or breaking his arm.
Hearing the sound of the sword hitting the ground, Lyanna relaxed somewhat which proved to be a mistake as she suddenly found herself lifted off the ground. Stannis used his superior strength and carried her towards a small table against the weapons shed. Slamming her down against the table, the breath was knocked out of her, Lyanna could only try and inhale as Stannis tried to regain his breath as well. Turning around, Stannis looked for his sword and tried to pull the Stark woman off the table before she kicked him in the back.
Letting go of the girl, Stannis turned as she rolled off the table and also looked for a weapon. Lyanna grew desperate as this fight continued, Stannis was wearing down, but she was faltering faster. Throwing a punch at Stannis, he merely blocked and kicked her in the stomach back against the shed, however she proceeded to fall through the door as someone had left it open. Moving quickly, Stannis shut the door and pulled the table up against it, making sure Lyanna was trapped inside.
Lyanna was unsuccessful in her attempts to kick open the door, quickly spinning she looked for another way out. Stannis wasted no time however as he looked around and grabbed the nearest torch for one of his men. Thinking of the poetic justice this would serve, Stannis placed the torch against the side of the shed and smiled sadistically as it slowly caught fire. "Let this be a lesson for all traitors." He yelled out.
Lyanna continued to look for another way out of the shed but was stopped when she heard Stannis. Already the inside was beginning to fill up with smoke and small flames could be seen peaking through the old wood. Gods help me she thought to herself. Growing desperate, Lyanna picked up an axe and started to take it to the door, slowing chipping away at it but before she had even gap of a couple of inches, one of the walls was completely on fire. With a scream, desperation clawed its way deeper into her soul.
Stannis smiled when he heard the scream, this was almost over. Looking around, he surveyed the crowd, he saw most of Lyanna's forces were in dismay as to the current predicament. And while his own forces were cheering widely, Davos was grim faced while Melisandre face inquisitive but not entirely focused on the fight. Being familiar with the creaks and moans of burning lumber, Stannis raised his arms and his men cheered as there was a crash and a scream.
Turning around, he found that the Stark girl had crashed her way through one of the walls. While she was out of the shed, her escape had caused her sleeves to catch fire and she was scrambling to put the flames out before they caused permanent damage. Stannis lost all coherent thought watching the young woman rub her arms against the snow banks. Gods would this woman ever die!
Lyanna looked down at her arms, the flames had eaten away the sleeves of her coat and her hands and forearms were pink from the heat. She only had a second as a pair of feet came within her field of vision and then as she looked up, Stannis had grabbed a dagger and sliced at her. Luckily he had misjudge his distance and cut her across the face, leaving on a small gash instead of ending her life. Screaming in pain, she thanked all the gods when she found a small rock underneath the snow and smashed it against the hand holding the dagger.
While Stannis let go of the dagger, he punched her with his free hand, toppling her over. Falling down, Stannis was on top of her and immediately began to beating bashing her head with his fist. Lyanna moved her arms up and blocked as much as she could. Stannis' age was catching up to him as the fight was prolonging though, he was almost out of breath and paused in beating the young woman beneath him.
Taking the pause, Lyanna punched Stannis in the throat and while he was gasping for air pushed him off of her. Rolling away, both Stannis and Lyanna got to their feet and looked at each other panting heavily. Each looking at the other, they both looked around and each found their sword. Stannis' was a few feet away from him next to the still burning shed while Lyanna's was a bit further still in the brazier. They only made eye contact for a few moments before they each rushed for their weapon. While Stannis had his sword already back up and turned around, Lyanna had grabbed her sword and had to hold in her yell of pain.
While her sword was not the glowing orange like a regular sword, it was still hot throughout the entire blade and handle. Turning around to face Stannis, she swung in a wide arc towards his own sword coming at her, embers following in sea of orange and red. Using an unexpected second wind, Lyanna pushed the attack and swung at Stannis over and over again, each attack pushing him further back. One such step on a loose rock was his downfall, ankle twisting and causing him to fall onto one knee before Lyanna. No longer willing to take such a chance, Lyanna raised her sword high for one final strike through his collarbone and into his chest while his guard was down.
"NO!" A small body stood in front of Lyanna, arms outstretched as much as possible. Lyanna was shocked as Princess Shireen was in between her and Stannis crying as all she wanted was for the fighting to stop. Lyanna was about to speak when she felt pain at the bottom of her left side ribs. Looking down she found the tip of Stannis blade had pierced her, he had used his daughter as a shield to stab her.
Time seemed to slow down as shock set in, Shireen wide eyes as she saw what happened, Stannis grabbing his daughter by the shoulder and pushing her forcibly out of the way, and Lyanna as she saw a small carving fall from the tiny hands of the Princess. Face set, Lyanna spun to her left as the tip of his sword coming out of her and her own pommel striking Stannis in the head. While he was dazed from the hit, Lyanna turned completely around, using both hands on her sword plunged it into Stannis' chest.
Everything was silent as they came to the realization of the fight. Stannis was shocked most of all, he had been assured victory. The crowd quiet as none wanted to venture closer until one of them was truly dead. Lyanna looked into the eyes of Stannis.
"Why? Why did we have to do this?" She asked. Stannis only looked at her as blood began to bubble out of his mouth. "It was mine." Stannis replied. "The Iron Throne was mine." Lyanna toppled Stannis and watched as he fell to the ground, straddling his body, Lyanna checked for a pulse before everything came rushing back to her.
The ringing in her left ear would not stop. Right eye was almost swollen shut and what little vision she possess in her left was tinged red from the blood moving down her face. That is going to leave a scar Lyanna thought tiredly. She was cut across her face and her arms felt heavy and painful, not counting the bruises. Lyanna looked down at the body below her, eyes already glassy, body going cold from the lack of life, her sword was driven so far through the body she was sure it was embedded in the ground. Watching as a small wolf pendant lay on the ground next to the body, before it was swallowed up in a rising pool of blood.
It was the last image she saw before she fell to the side and a creeping darkness swarmed what little vision she had. Lyanna felt the ground next to her pound as bodies came closer. Voices lost their clarity and were just distant rumbles. She was falling, or maybe being picked up, she had no idea what was what anymore. One last thought entered her mind before she stopped clinging to the edge of consciousness. Why? She thought. Why did it have to end this way?
A/N: My god am I sorry for taking this long. Wow. This is completely on me. So just a quick note, her scar, I was going for Squall's scar from FF8 not Tyrion's. Please leave a comment, a review, a PM, whatever I love to hear from you guys and gals.
