Chapter One

No matter how hard Lyanna tried she couldn't hate her mother. Even now, as they sat across from each other soaked in silence, Lyanna couldn't find hate in her heart. Such emotions were not to be shown toward family. Instead they should be stored and unleashed on the true enemy, not wasted on petty family squabbles. And this was most definitely a petty family squabble. Lyanna wanted to be outside in the fresh air instead of cooped up with her mother, sister, and brothers inside a stuffy carriage where the air threatened to suffocate her. She wanted to ride beside her father, or Jaime, or Tyrion. Seven hells, she would ride by the Hound if it just meant she could get out! Cersei would hear none of it. All of Lyanna's pretty begging fell on deaf ears. At the start of the journey to Winterfell Jaime had warned it would be in the best interest of all involved for her to just accept things and move on. Naturally, being the daughter of a Baratheon and a Lannister, Lyanna hadn't listened at all. Asking got her nowhere. Cersei would only give her a cold glare in response. Escaping didn't work. The Hound would bring her back to the carriage. As would Jaime. At least Tyrion would help her hide, offer a moment or two of solitude. Ultimately she would be found, put back in the carriage, and reprimanded by her mother while Joffrey smirked, Tommen slept, and Myrcella watched with wide eyes. The cycle never ended and they were all sick of it.

"Mother, how much longer until we reach Winterfell?" Myrcella looked up from her doll with an expression of serene curiosity, and expression Lyanna had helped her master. "I don't think I like being stuck in here with smelly boys."

"Don't think, dear. Know. Know you don't like being stuck with smelly boys. Thinking can only get you so far. Don't shy away from having an opinion, a thought. No one likes a constantly uncertain person." Lyanna managed to insert a short lesson into the discussion before the queen shushed her. It wasn't an uncommon thing. All of King's Landing knew how much Lyanna loved teaching the young princess habits any proper highborn lady would ignore. Lyanna liked that they knew. She liked that they acknowledged it.

"Lyanna, behave."

"But Mother! I thought I was!"

"Lyanna. Now."

"Also, Myrcella, you should always know when to pick your battles. This isn't the time to fight, so I shall save it for another time." Lyanna smiled playfully, nudging her younger sister with the tip of her shoe. Myrcella smiled back, but there was something off in the smile. "What is it?"

Myrcella blinked a few times before stating, "I don't think they'll like us."

"Why the seven hells not? We're amazing people really. Baratheons' are notoriously clever and handsome." The sarcasm was completely lost on the younger children, even Joffrey. Cersei was the only one who smiled. Lyanna sighed. "Honestly Myrcella. Everything will be fine. We'll get there and have a grand party and get to know all of the Stark family. I hear they have several children close to your age. Tommen's as well. And there's a girl the same age as Joff."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

When they looked at each other Lyanna could see true concern in Myrcella's eyes. "Do they have any children your age? Won't you get lonely if they don't?"

Lyanna pretended to think. "I suppose I might. There again it'll just mean I have more time to work on stories for you."

"No more princess stories. I'm sick of those."

"Alright, no more princess stories. Hound!" Lyanna leaned out the window to wave Joffrey's shield closer. "I don't suppose you have any stories appropriate for young ladies?"

"Of course not, Princess."

"Thought as much. What use are you if I can't get a good story from you?"

"Not much, Princess."

Lyanna frowned. "You're being more annoying than usual, Sandor. What crawled up your-"

"Lyanna!"

"Again with the name calling! Honestly, Mother! I thought you despised my name. Why keep saying it over and over."

Cersei gave her eldest a bone chilling look. "There would be no need for me to call your name if you would just behave properly. You- by some mistake I'm sure your father will pay for- are second in line. Behave as such."

"I'm not second in line. Tommen is second in line. Then Uncle Stannis followed by Uncle Renly. I'm sure they'll manage to find some other male heir before giving that bloody throne to Myrcella or me." Her tone was petulant, arms folded across her chest. She looked like a bloody child and she knew it. She also knew nothing irked her mother more. "Joff's first in line because he's the favorite."

"Stop this nonsense Lyanna."

"Or what?"

"Or you'll ride ahead with your uncle."

Was… was her mother being serious? That was the exact thing Lyanna had been begging for. And Cersei was just going to give it to her?

"But it's true, Mother. Everyone loves Joffrey more than they care for me. Isn't that right Tommen? Tommen? Tom! Oh, never mind, keep sleeping. Tyrion! Doesn't everyone just love Joff? He's a much more popular choice than me. All through King's Landing people-"

"Enough!"

Lyanna always knew just the right things to say to anger Cersei. She was so much like Robert that way.

"Leave your brother alone. In fact, leave all of us alone. Go ride ahead with Jaime." The Queen commanded their party to stop. No one helped Lyanna out of the carriage. No one handed her the reigns to Mance. She did it all herself. "And Lyanna." The girl turned back to her mother. "Change. I won't have you getting that dress dirty."

"Yes, Mother."

When they finally began moving again everyone could hear King Robert raging at Queen Cersei for stopping their party. The reply was a common one. The Queen had to control the King's daughter. Their fights always involved 'the King's daughter', never 'our daughter'. Lyanna pretended it didn't hurt, but it did. Being denounced by her own mother hurt like a bitch. The yelling continued and Lyanna's mood dropped. Her parents were horrible to each other. She knew all of it wasn't her fault- Robert and Cersei just weren't compatible in the slightest- and she wouldn't mind their constant bickering if she wasn't brought up in them. No matter what they fought about Robert and Cersei always ended up arguing about Lyanna, the King's favorite, the only child that inherited any Baratheon features. She didn't mean to start a fight between them this time. Not so close to Winterfell, and certainly not while Myrcella and Tommen were around.

"Things would be easier if you would just listen to your mother, Lyanna. You aren't like the others. The things that work on them don't work on you. She's trying to learn."

"She's had my entire life to learn. It isn't as if I've changed drastically the past few years. I don't mean to be difficult, Jaime. I really, really don't." A particularly loud bellow made Lyanna wince. Jaime grimaced sympathetically but offered no words. "I don't like it when they fight in front of the children."

"And the rest of the realm makes no difference?"

"The rest of the realm isn't my younger brother and sister."

"Brother? I think you're forgetting one."

"No. Joffrey can handle it better than them. He's older."

"He's still younger than you."

Lyanna rolled her eyes. "What's your point, Kingslayer?"

"I thought I told you not to call me that, Lyanna."

"I'm sorry, Uncle. It slipped."

"Make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Yes ser."

Jaime let a small smile slip. He was the only one who could get her in hand like this. Well, excluding Tyrion who was most likely off with a whore at the moment. Lyanna and Cersei were more alike than either would ever admit. In looks and personality. If it wasn't for the dark hair and curvier build Lyanna could very well be a young Cersei Lannister. Perhaps that was why Jaime favored her of all Cersei's brood.

"We've arrived."

Lyanna's head snapped up at her uncle's words. He wasn't lying. The gates of Winterfell loomed before their party, making Lyanna's stomach twist. She had never been here, never met Lord Eddard Stark despite being named for his sister. One by one they filed in and stopped in front of a mass of people. At the very front was a family that could only be the Starks. They were all rather severe looking, nothing like the soft beauties found in the south, but they were attractive nonetheless. The carriage doors opened and Tommen stepped out, helping Myrcella just the way Lyanna told him to. Next was Joff who offered his arm as their mother stepped out of the carriage. Lyanna was about to dismount when she caught her mother's eye.

No, Lyanna. You wanted to act like a commoner, so I will treat you like one.

Bloody brilliant.

Lyanna stayed mounted on Mance while Jaime joined his family. Their family. He offered no assurance as he departed, and no one moved to make her stand by the King's side. Not even their septa. Riding with Jaime hadn't been her punishment after all. This was her punishment. Queen Cersei was ignoring her, casting her out for the day. And good King Robert was just letting her. There were worse punishments, Lyanna guessed. It still didn't change the fact that this- watching as the children of the king were introduced without her- hurt. It also didn't help that no one seemed to notice she was missing. The seven kingdoms already believed her to be a myth. Why should she be asked about? It wouldn't be appropriate to ask for a story from the king and queen.

There were eyes on her, burning into the crimson tunic covering her torso. Lyanna turned to see a young girl with a dirty nose watching in awe. Arya Stark. Lyanna heard Lord Stark introduce the girl briefly. She was the youngest and most outgoing, apparently, to be staring in such a manner. Lyanna couldn't help it. She stuck out her tongue at the young girl and smiled. Arya smiled back and tugged on Sansa's sleeve, but the older sister paid no attention. She was too busy drooling over Joffrey.

Now it's no wonder that her name means "Beauty",
Her looks have got no parallel.
But behind that fair facade
I'm afraid she's rather odd.
Very diff'rent from the rest of us,
She's nothing like the rest of us.

-Belle, Beauty & the Beast

A/N: I would like to take this time to apologize for any typos or grammar mistakes. Also, I know this chapter might be a bit boring, but it's important for establishing not only some of Lyanna's character but her relationship with her family. Don't worry, Jon comes in soon. Either the next chapter or the one after that. As always, thank you for reading.