Hi there. As promised the feast and joust and a few more important meetings. As always I don't own ASOIAF. Enjoy.
Lyanna rolled her shoulders to relieve some of the stiffness from sitting so long on the unforgiving wooden stands she had been sitting in all day. She knew it was not proper for a lady to fidget so much. She couldn't find it within her to care, however. Lyanna was never a creature meant to spend so long stagnant. She had to much life within her to waste away sitting about all day long. She looked to her brother Ned on her left. She could see sweat beading on his forehead and neck. They were Northerners, not meant for heat even the mild summer heat around Harrenhal. Lyanna was fairing better than Ned, but hoped she could use his discomfort to her advantage.
"Brother, you appear overheated. Let me go get you something to drink so you might cool down a bit." Lyanna spoke as she rose from her seat.
Ned chuckled before replying in his soft, gravelly voice, "I thank you, Lya. I know you well, though. You can never sit still for long. Please do come back eventually with a drink for me. Tarry too long and I am likely to faint as if I were a distressed maiden.
Lyanna laughed at Ned's jest, throwing her head back and giving over to her mirth for a moment. Ned noticed the eyes of several young men being drawn by the sweet sound of his sister's laughter. He made eye contact with a few just to make sure they all knew he would protect his sister's honor if their stares lingered too much longer.
Lyanna oblivious to these silent exchanges squeezed her brother's shoulder before leaving to walk towards the pavillion where servants were providing all manner of wine and ale to guests at the tourney. As she made her way towards the area where a kitchen girl was serving cups of cold ale, she came to stand next to an armored man close to her age. A group of noblewomen passed close to where Lyanna stood accidentally bumping into her. Lyanna stumbled into the man next to her causing the man to reach out and grab her shoulder, steadying her. She looked up to see the man was none other than Jamie Lannister. She stared up into his cat-like green eyes, not even noticing the his hand was still lingering on her shoulder. For a moment, genuine concern seemed to cross his face before an arrogant smirk appeared. Lyanna blinked several times. She was no stupid maiden, easily swayed by a handsome face. She curtsied in thanks before roughly grabbing her cup and stalking away. She knew her reaction was a bit exaggerated over a mere smirk, but she had received far too many condescending smirks in her short seven-and-ten year lifetime.
Jamie was startled to feel someone knock into him as he held his goblet out to have a kitchen girl refill it. Wine sloshed onto his hand, but he took no notice as he instinctually reached out to catch the falling person. He looked down into a pair of sharp, silver eyes as he righted himself and the young woman he had caught. He noticed her dress was fairly simple and her hair lacked any of the braids traditionally worn by southern ladies. He smirked realizing that this young woman was Lyanna Stark. He had heard of her beauty and wilfulness during his time squiring for Lord Sumner. She seemed a bit plain when compared to his beautiful, golden sister. Jamie gave a low chuckle as he watched Lady Lyanna Stark stomp away in a fury, his thoughts turned back to his sister. He missed her dearly, but time had dulled those edges some. Since being sent away at three-and-ten to squire for Lord Sumner his correspondence with his sister had grown sparser every passing year. Tyrion wrote much more faithfully and often his letters were much more entertaining. Jamie could still recall the day he had been shipped away clearly. The night before he and Cersei had been caught by their father in a compromising position. Lord Tywin Lannister was furious with them both, but Cersei most acutely. Tywin had gone on and on about Cersei losing her value if she lost her purity and the danger bastards would pose to their legacy. Jamie was furious with his father for speaking of Cersei as nothing more than a prize to auction off to the highest bidder. He could do nothing though as he was roused early the next morning to leave Casterly Rock indefinitely. His squiring for Lord Sumner had begun earlier than anticipated. He never had another moment alone with Cersei. He can still remember the look of utter betrayal in her eyes as he rode away from their home.
Jamie shook his head, trying to bring his mind back to the present. He was eight-and-ten now. He could do nothing to change the past. He was much better at living in the moment anyway. He nodded to the kitchen girl before sauntering back towards the tents to ready for the joust.
Lyanna handed Ned his drink a bit too forcefully when she arrived back at the stands. The drink sloshed over Ned's hand, but he waved off Lyanna's quick apology. She was frustrated about something, he could tell. Ned knew his sister well enough to stay out of the way when she was in one of her moods.
Lyanna grabbed the sleeve of Benjen's shirt and tugged on it, indicating her desire to leave. Benjen huffed before complying with his sister's demand. They moved quickly out of the stands and towards the tents where jousters were readying themselves. Lyanna turned to Benjen whispering, "I am going to enter the joust. Will you help me?"
Benjen's mouth dropped open in shock. "Where is this coming from, Lyanna? Why would you want to do something so dangerous! Father will kill us if he finds out!"
Lyanna crossed her arms and scowled at her little brother before saying, "I am the best rider in the North I won't get hurt! I decided this because I want to defend Howland's honor. He cannot do it himself, for he is too injured and not much of a horseman either."
Benjen raised an eyebrow at his sister's noble declaration. "Are you sure Howland's honor is your sole reason for entering a joust?"
Lyanna flushed slightly, but raised her chin higher. "Of course that is my primary reason, but I also want to show all of these pompous knights here that a woman is just as capable of knocking an opponent in the dirt." Lyanna continued under her breathe, "maybe then men will not be so likely to smirk at me as if I am some stupid, defenseless lamb."
Benjen caught some of Lyanna's petulant mumblings and his gaze softened. He and Lyanna were so close in age and often the only Stark children in Winterfell. He had heard her complain many times how unfair life as a maiden flowered could be. He agreed with her that it was not fair, but he was helpless to change her fate. Seeing Lyanna sad was never something Benjen wanted. He could already feel himself caving to her demands just so she would smile again.
"I will help you on one condition." Benjen started.
Lyanna flung herself at Benjen, nearly squeezing the life right out of him. He coughed and grabbed her shoulders. Looking her in the eyes, he said, "My condition is that you must be a mystery knight. No one can know it was you. No man will stand for being shamed by a woman opponent. I won't be moved on this Lya. You would be putting all of the Starks in danger by publicly shaming men from other noble houses."
Lyanna's face fell slightly, but she nodded along to what her brother was saying. She will never purposefully endanger her family. She begrudgingly conceded that Benjen did have a valid argument. Her thoughts quickly turned hopeful again when she realized they would need to begin gathering supplies soon if she was to ride the next day.
"I need you to find me some armor and a horse, if I am to remain a mystery knight!" Keep it all in your tent so that no one suspects me.
Benjen gave an exasperated laugh before letting his sister's shoulders go with one final affectionate squeeze. She ran back to the stands with a quick thank you thrown over her shoulder to Benjen.
Benjen shook his head still exasperated that he had somehow found himself entrenched in yet another of Lyanna Stark's rebellious schemes.
Up next: A mystery knight, a knighting ceremony, and a few more surprises.