AN- Hey guys, chapter 2 here. This is where things are gonna get going. Also, here is a list for ages in the fic. Anyways, remember to R&R, and I hope you enjoy.
Robb and Jon- 16
Joffrey- 15
Sansa- 13, going on 14
Atticus- 13
Arya and Myrcella- 12
Bran and Tommen-10
Rickon- 6
Frigid Reception
Winterfell- The entire population of the old castle stood in attendance, waiting for the arrival of the royal family. The Stark family stood in front of everyone. Both Arya and Ned glanced back every so often at Jon, who as a bastard was forced to stay back a row or two. Arya thought it was stupid, as the royals would be bringing the bastard son of Jaime Lannister. As the royal caravan rode in, everyone kneeled. She and the other Stark children noticed two things at first. One, the king was, simply put, fat as hell. The second was they saw behind him two blond boys. One was the prince, who looked smugly at all those around him, as if they were dirt, and had both the Lannister and Baratheon symbols on his clothes . The other carried himself with poise, and was giving a warm smile to everyone he saw. He wore armor similar to the Lannister soldiers,minus the helmet. Arya thought that this is what a prince should look like. Arya was broken from her thoughts when the king stood in front of her.
"What is your name?" He asked. Arya looked up at the large man.
"Arya" She answered. He nodded and then went on to Bran. The other members of the Royal family also approached. As Ned led King Robert off to the crypt, the gathering of people finally went back to their jobs, as the servants helped the royal family get settled in. Arya looked around for the mysterious boy, but could not find him anywhere.
Later- Atticus was walking around, looking at the old castle. He then saw Lord Eddard's oldest son talking to two other men. One he assumed to be his bastard brother, and the other was most likely the Greyjoy ward. He gave them a smile and introduced himself.
"Hello there,i don't think we were properly introduced. My name is Atticus." He said, extending his arm. Robb and the other turned to face him. Robb smiled back and shook Atticus's hand.
"Robb. You must be Jaime Lannister's son" Robb says. Atticus nods and moves onto Jon.
"Yes, and you must be Lord Eddard's bastard. Small world for us bastards, eh?" He says, shaking Jon's hand with a smile. Jon returns the grin.
"Yes, but a bigger world for those who have been legitimized." Jon says, a bit of envy in his voice. Atticus couldn't blame him. Everything in his life changed when he became heir to The Rock.
"A man is not defined by his birth. Whatever you think you can or can't do, you are probably right." Atticus says, finally making his way to Theon.
"And you must be Theon Greyjoy." Atticus finishes, extending his hand. Theon does not return the gesture.
"Yes, I am. Perhaps you know of me from all the woman you have met so far in the north." Theon says cockily. Atticus grins before he answers.
"Well, I did hear Lady Catelyn talking about keeping you away from the royal family." Atticus says, causing Robb and Jon to laugh. Theon was flustered and storms out like a little child. Robb began to follow him, still laughing.
"I'll make sure he doesn't brake anything." Robb says. Atticus smiles and then walks off to go set himself up. As he walks into the castle, he bumps into someone, and hears a soft "umf!"
"Pardon me.." He says, but when he looks straight he sees no one, He then looks down, and sees a young girl on the ground. He immediately recognizes that it is Lord Stark's youngest daughter. He notices that she is a good half foot smaller than him, but what really strikes him is her eyes, which are a shade of grey not seen in southern people.
"Oh lady Arya, I am quite sorry. I didn't see you there."Atticus says, leaning down and helping the young girl up. She dusts her self off, and then looks at his face for a second.
"It's fine. Wait a minute, your Jaime Lannister's son!" She says. Atticus chuckles at her.
"Yes, and your Lord Stark's youngest daughter." He says, playfully mocking her for stating the obvious.
"So, your name is Atticus, right?" She says, and gets a nod from him. She thinks for a second before talking, showing her inexperience at being a hostess.
"So how are you enjoying the North?" She says. Atticus smiles at her.
"It is very beautiful. I happen to enjoy many of the sights I see." He says looking back at Arya, causing her to blush a little. He wasn't lying, as he did find the girl to be pretty in her own way.
"Wait, am I blushing? I don't blush! Sansa is the one blushes!" Arya thought to herself. She continued to lead Atticus through Winterfell.
"So Lady Arya, I heard from some of the residents here that you ride better than any other of your siblings." Atticus says, and Arya nods.
"I do, and don't call me lady." Arya says. Atticus smiles, the gears turning in his head.
"Well then, if you are so good, how about a little contest? How about a little race, my lady?"Atticus says. Arya grins and nods.
"Alright, if I win, you will stop calling me lady." Arya says.
"And if I win, you have to sit next to me at the feast tonight, my lady." Atticus says, flashing a smile that would make most women in the Seven Kingdoms faint. Arya blushes again, but then recovers and nods confidently.
"Fine, your on!" She says, and goes to run, but only for Atticus to stop her.
"Whoa, my lady. Let me find my room and change into better clothes" He says. Arya looks at his armor nods, feeling a bit embarrassed by her childish nature.
"Okay, when your ready meet me by the hill closest to the gates." Arya says, and Atticus nods. The two head in different directions.
Later- Atticus slowly rides up to where Arya said to meet. He finds her there on her own horse.
"Hello my lady." He says. Arya huffs before speaking.
"We ride down to the gates. The first one inside the castle wins." Arya says. Atticus nods and begins to count.
"Three,two,one,go!" Atticus yells, and the two go off as fast as they can.
The two seem equally matched, constantly neck and neck with each other. Atticus looks over at Arya, and smiles at the look of intensity on her face. He pulls a head a bit and notices a patchy part of ground. He slows his horse down and guides him through the rocks, and manages to get past with out a problem. Atticus came to a full stop, and turns around to find that Arya's horse had stopped, and had sent her flying into the air. With a loud smack, Atticus found himself on the ground, with Arya on top of him.
"My lady, are you all right?" He asks, shaking her a little. Arya slowly gets up and nods.
"Yes, I'm fine. My horse is already running back to the castle, though." Arya says. Atticus looks off and sees the horse running to Winterfell. Atticus stands up and offers Arya his hand.
"Let me help you up,my lady." He says, and he hoists Arya up onto his horse, and then climbs on himself, situating himself behind her. He then clicks his tongue, and moves the horse at a gingerly pace. They eventually make there way to the gates, and Atticus chuckles.
"What is it?" Arya asks.
"Well, we arrived at the same time, so I guess we both win." Atticus says. Arya laughs at well, as Atticus dismounts.
"That means that you will stop calling me Lady." Arya says. Atticus helps her down with a smile.
"And that also means that you have to sit next to me tonight." Atticus says. Arya nods and smiles.
"Yeah, I guess I do. Well, I am going to get ready. My mother probably wants to do my hair." She says.
"Well, I'll see you then, Arya."Atticus replies, and gently kisses Arya's hand, before leaving to prepare.
Great Hall- The dining room of Winterfell was bustling. The sound of laughter, eating and drinking bombarded Jon's ears. He was situated far away from the main table, as Lady Stark thought it would be improper to have a Bastard seated with the King. Jon looked around and saw the many guests. He noticed the Lannister brothers, who couldn't have looked anymore different. He saw most of his siblings, but noticed the absence of Arya. He heard a loud amount of her laughter, and turned to see her next to Atticus.
"Well well little sister, seems you found a boy you like. Never thought that would happen." Jon thought to himself. He noticed how both Arya and Atticus glanced at each other. He then noticed what looked like a peasant holding a letter that was sealed with the golden Lannister lion. He noticed it being given to the Queen, who opened it. After reading it, she passed it to lady Catelyn, who's face became serious after reading it.
"I'll get my brother, you can go get your Lord husband" Cersei said. Jon heard this just barely, and then went around to find Atticus. He found him in the middle of the hall, dancing with a laughing Arya. He walked up to them, and decided to cut in.
"Atticus, you might want to check up on your aunt and father." Jon whispered, pointing in the direction of where Cersei, Jaime, Eddard, and Catelyn were sneaking off. Atticus nods and passes Arya on to her brother, before slowly making his way to the adults.
Winterfell Crypts- Eddard paces back and forth, the letter from Tywin Lannister still in his hand. Jaime Lannister was sitting down, a shocked expression on his face. Both Catelyn and Cersei had made their way back to the feast.
"Did you know about this?" Ned asks accusingly. Jaime stands up and shakes his head.
"No, I didn't. I can't even think of a reason why my father would propose such a match, unless..." Jaime trails off. Eddard gives the Kingslayer all his attention.
"Unless what?" Ned asks.
" With Winter coming, the hardy crops that the North cultivate will come in handy. And if you are related to the Lannisters, we can afford to help you get some of the things you can't get during winter, such as fruit or fish." Jaime answers.
"That isn't the only reason for this marriage" Ned deadpans.
"Well, the reason my father denied the last betrothal was because the girl only wanted to get as much Lannister gold as she could. Perhaps the second daughter of an honorable man like Ned stark won't be after wealth." Jaime says, surprising Ned.
"Are you saying your father trusts me?" He asks. Jaime laughs at the idea.
"Trust you? No, but he does know your an honorable fool, and that you wouldn't allow your children to steal." Jaime says. Before Ned can answer, he hears a click of a tongue. He and Jaime turn and find Atticus staring at them.
"Well, it seems my grandfather wants me to get betrothed before he dies. Not surprising, with how often he talks about his legacy." Atticus says. Jaime gulps nervously.
"So, son, what do you think about marrying Arya?" Jaime asks. Atticus sighs.
"Well, she is a very nice girl, I believe I recall her saying earlier in the night that she never wanted to get married." Atticus says. Ned sighs.
"That is her way. She always wished to fight and ride like a boy." Ned says. Atticus thinks for a moment.
"Well, how about this, of you can find her a better match before she turns 15, then you can break the betrothal. Also, if she feels I am not a good enough match at that age, then she may break the proposal." Atticus says. Ned thinks for a moment, before speaking.
"Fine, but if this is a ploy by Tywin in anyway..."Ned says, letting the threat linger as he leaves the two Lannisters alone. Jaime stands up and walks over to his son.
"Well, I guess congratulations are in order." Jaime says, flashing a smile at Atticus.
"Well, I guess I should wait until tomorrow to talk to Arya" Atticus says, before standing up and leaving. As he exits the crypts, he notices Jon Snow and Tyrion talking outside.
"Hello, Jon, Uncle Tyrion." Atticus says in a friendly tone. The two look over at him and nod.
"Ah, beloved nephew, perhaps you can talk some sense into Jon before he leaves for the Wall. Maybe another bastard will reach him,eh?" Tyrion says with a smirk, before leaving the two illegitimate sons together.
"I can't believe he would say such a thing about the Night's Watch, saying that its a bunch of rapers,thieves and murders." Jon says. Atticus chuckles at his naivete.
"You know I once went to the Wall . Impressive structure, though I do remember at least three threats of murder. I also remember a cart of new recruits coming in. It was twenty thieves, ten rapers, five murders, and one volunteer. I believe the boy was dead before I even left, killed for an argument over who was a better swordsman." Atticus says. Jon's eyes widen at the revelation.
"Then what else can I do with my life if I don't join the watch?" Jon asks. Atticus smiles before speaking.
"Hmm, you could become a knight, but you hold to the old gods." He says, and Jon nods. "Well, being a sworn shield or sword can get you some praise." Atticus answers.
"I don't feel like living my life to protect some brat lord." Jon answers plainly.
"Who said you couldn't protect your family. And before you ask questions, wait for your father to make the announcement." Atticus says, and then walks away towards his bed chamber. He would need his strength to deal with Arya in the morning.
AN- And chapter 2 done! Just want to remind you guys to check out my poll on my profile for my other fic "New Chance." Anyways, remember to R&R, and i hope you enjoyed!