The Second Stark
Season 2 Episode 3: The Prince of the North
William Stark, Second born son of Eddard Stark (15 years old)
"Keep your feet moving! Pure strength isn't enough you need to move the feet!" Will shouted as he sent more blows towards Gendry.
His group was a few hours from Riverrun now, and had stopped for a much needed rest. The horses were worn out from having to carry them all that way and riding at such speed. Right now he was showing Gendry sword play, which looked like an odd sight considering the boy was a year older then he and a head taller. Lyra had started them a fire, and there was a rabbit cooking on the spit. Lyra was a few feet away from him, showing Sansa the basics of a bow, while Arya watched on waiting for her turn.
It was odd for Will to see his oldest sister in anything other than a dress. The group of them had salvaged supplies from the wreck of the attack on the Night's watch band. His eldest sister was now wearing black boots, with a green shirt with tight leather armor over it. She had seemed uncomfortable in it at first, and their mother would surely have a fit when they saw her, but Sansa insisted. She had said she was tired of being defenseless. She was having a hard time grasping the bow skills now, but she was slowly learning.
Arya on the other hand had not changed her clothes. She had Lyra wash them for her, but she still looked the same as she always did. Wild and ready for a fight. Lyra and she had become close instantly. Lyra seemed like the kind of girl Arya wished to be when she grew more. Lyra was showing them bow skills now, but she would show them how to wield blades as well. It was a great group they had, they had almost enjoyed traveling, but they were all ready to get back to their family.
Will turned his attention back to Gendry who was becoming a fast learner. He kept on sparring with the older boy until he seemed as if he was ready to fall over.
"This… this is much harder than I thought it would be." He panted on the ground.
Will laughed and helped him to his feet. "It is. Sword play comes natural to some people. You're strong as a bull, but that doesn't mean fighting with a sword will come easy, it'll help, but you still have to work at it. Do you understand?" Will asked the older boy.
He nodded and Will smiled. "Good, when we reach my brother I can probably find a better teacher for you. Or maybe you could even be made a squire." Will said as the two walked towards the fire.
"A squire, really? I never thought I would be anything like that. Isn't that reserved for noble children? I'm just an armorer's apprentice." He said sitting down near the roaring flames.
Will laughed again, "Ha, my brother won't care. If you serve with honor, and protect those that need protecting, there's no reason that I see why you can't be a squire, or a knight. Besides, you'll without a doubt be rewarded for what you did for Arya." Will said.
Gendry shook his head. "It was no big deal what I did for Arya, I was just doing what I thought was right."
What he thought was right. He remembered Lyra had said something similar before. I saved your bloody life William Stark because it was the right thing to do. It was an odd concept to Will that people would just willingly help people just 'because it was the right thing to do.' He used to think that people would do this, but after everything that happened to his father, and his sisters, he had a hard time believing it anymore. He wished everyday they had just stayed in Winterfell. He was so stupid back then. He wanted to go south, to see the great red keep, learn from the great sword masters like Barristan Selmy, and to woo his future wife the princess Myrcella.
All of that was behind him now. Now he was returning to his brother, who was now a king. That made him a prince in his own right, and an heir since Robb had no children. Barristan Selmy wasn't on the Kingsguard anymore. His father was dead. Myrcella probably thought he was dead. The biggest change, was now he would burn the red keep to the ground if he had the chance. He was going to give Sansa Joffrey's head on a spike, and he was going to kill everyone who had anything to do with his father's death.
Will got up and walked over to watch his two sisters each take turns with the bow, Lyra stood watching from a distance. Will walked over to her and managed to get a small smile from her.
"So, how are they doing?" Will asked as he saw Sansa shoot an arrow hitting a few inches above the target Lyra had set up.
Lyra nodded her head, impressed. "Arya is a natural. Sansa, she's surprising me. For a girl who's never lifted a weapon in her life, she's doing fairly well." She said as Arya took her turn, hitting the center of the target.
Will smiled, he knew Arya had always had a knack for bows, and swords even. "So, we're a few hours from Riverrun. What do you plan to do when you get there?" Lyra asked him.
Will shrugged his shoulders. "Well see my brother and mother first off. After that I'm going to help my brother kill every Lannister we can get our hands on." He said with a slightly dark tone.
Lyra looked at him, and for a split second she looked like concerned. "What… what about me? What do you think they'll let me do?" She asked.
Will had not thought about that. He wanted Lyra to stay with him, he had grown… attached to her. He enjoyed her company. She was beautiful, could shoot a bow, and he had seen her kill a man with grace. What would Robb have her do? Lyra had told him that she had no desire for a reward, but after seeing her after her cabin had been burned by Lannister's, he knew she wanted revenge.
"Well, I… I was hoping you'd stay with me. Be like, my right hand man-. Girl I mean, right hand girl. If you still want revenge on the Lannister's… we could get it together." Will said, becoming nervous for an unknown reason.
Her cheeks went red, she turned her head form him and nodded. She turned back to him, with a wicked grin, her crystal blue eyes sparkling. "That sounds like a fantastic idea." She said.
Will felt himself smile at the thought of having Lyra with him longer. They had been together a week now maybe, but he felt as if it had been forever. They had fought besides each other, saved each other, and it would feel weird for Will to not be traveling with her just like that. He watched as Lyra went to adjust Sansa's footing for her archery, Arya looked over and smiled. She jogged up to him with her needle on her belt, ready to poke a man full of holes if need be.
"Are we going to be at Riverrun soon?" She asked, as the two walked towards the fire.
They sat and Will nodded his head. "We should be, we're going to eat and then we're going to head out and we'll see Robb and mother soon."
She perked up after that, and she looked over to Gendry who was tending the fire, "What about Gendry? Maybe he could become a smith for the army or something?" She suggested.
Gendry looked up at the two of them but remained speechless, he just smiled lightly and poked the fire more. Will spoke next, "Well actually we're going to see if Robb will make Gendry a squire." He told his younger sister, he could see Gendry smile sheepishly.
Arya's eyes brightened, "That's amazing! Maybe he could be your squire Will!?" She suggested.
Will laughed at the idea, "Ha, i don't think so Arya. I haven't been knighted yet, I can't have a squire. Besides, do you see how big Gendry is? It'd look awfully weird with him being my squire."
The two of them managed to laugh at that, Lyra came over to the fire with Sansa next to her, the five of them all gathered as Lyra carefully took the rabbit off the cooking spit. It wasn't exactly a very big lunch, but nobody was complaining. Will continued to think about what he could do to help Robb. He hoped Robb would give him a host of soldiers to command. He had always wanted to command an army, however part of him wanted to stay near Sansa, and Arya and the rest of his family.
He looked over at Sansa and could see her already beginning to change. It was the first time he had ever seen her not in a dress. "So Sansa how are Lyra's skills as a teacher?" He asked his oldest sister.
She actually to Will's surprise seemed excited. "She's been great! I mean, I'm still a long ways from being good with a bow, or a blade. It's actually… kind of fun however. I still have a hard time, bringing the bow string back, or holding up a heavier blade." She explained.
"Don't worry Sansa you're doing great. Strength comes overtime, from training and working. You'll be just fine." Lyra told her new student smiling.
Sansa smiled sheepishly and took another piece of rabbit into her mouth. Arya spoke up next, "Will do you think I could continue sword training when we get back to Mother and Robb?" She asked.
"I don't know Arya, that's for mother to decide. I promise however, to both of you, when we get back, of you wish we can continue training." Will told his two siblings with a smile.
Lyra seemed to enjoy the family moment that they all had, but Will noticed that she kept taking subtle glances at Gendry. The faces she made at him weren't like she was interested in him, but they were glances like she had noticed him before. Arya and Sansa began to talk about what they would do back at home, but Will just ate his rabbit and watched Lyra and Gendry. Looking at the two of them closely Will noticed they look very alike. The same black hair, and bright blue eyes. The two of them looked as if they could be siblings, however Will didn't know who Lyra's father was, and who either of Gendry's parents were.
Will was about to speak up when Lyra shot to her feet. Her hand went to a blade at her waist and the other four looked at her, not moving. "Do you hear that!?" She asked, keeping her hand on the blade.
Will stood as well and pulled 'Frozen Wind' from its sheath. He heard it to, the sound of horses, running through the forest. Arya stood and pulled needle out, Gendry did the same with his blade, Sansa grabbed a knife from Lyra, and all five of them stood ready for a fight.
"Not again, please not again." Arya begged.
"Don't worry nobody it touching you or Sansa, not ever again." Will said, not removing his eyes from the surrounding forest.
Before anyone could say anything else horses burst into their camp. All the men calming them down, holding banners with the sigil of crossed chains in an X pattern. One man, the largest man Will had ever seen was leading them, with a giant sword at his hip. Will recognized the sigil, he had seen them before when they had visited Winterfell.
"Put your weapons away! Arya, Sansa, Lyra, Gendry, put them away!" Will yelled to his companions.
"Why!? Who are these people!?" Lyra asked keeping her blade up.
All the soldiers looked towards Will, Will sheathed his sword away and walked to the giant man.
"You're the GreatJon Umber aren't you?" Will asked the man.
The giant man gave a hearty laugh and nodded his head. "Haha, yes lad that's what they call me. You, must be William Stark, aye you must be, you look just like Ned. I haven't seen you since your 5th nameday, it's good to see you again lad. Or should I say, my prince." He said in a respectful tone, before getting on one knee before Will.
Will was caught off guard. Every man dismounted their horses, and bended on one knee at Will and his group. Lyra walked up to Will and grabbed his arm.
"Will, what are they doing?" She asked oddly.
The Greatjon stood, but the rest of his men stayed kneeling. "We already bended our knee and pledged to fight for Robb Stark, as King of the North. Now we bend knee to William Stark, and his sisters, as the Prince, and Princesses of the North." He said before gesturing for all his men to rise.
Lyra didn't let go of Will's arm, but the Greatjon continued speaking. "Your brother received your raven. He sent me and these men to help escort you back to him." He explained.
Will smiled and looked at Lyra smiling. After Lyra seemed to get the message everything was okay, she let his arm go. Will turned to the Greatjon, and smiled.
"I thank you and your men for your loyalty Lord Umber. Now let's go see my brother his Grace, it's time we took the fight to the Lannister's."
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Lyra Waters (15 years old)
Lyra had been hearing storied from Will, Sansa, and Arya about their older brother Robb the whole trip. 'The Young Wolf' he was called, he rode into battle on a giant direwolf, and could even turn into a wolf himself, were some of the rumors she had heard. However gazing at him now, he looked like a normal man. Tall and muscular with hair the same color as Sansa's, Lyra supposed he was handsome, but she preferred Will's look, hair shorter, with a more rugged look to him.
Speaking of Will Lyra stayed close to him as they entered the great hall of Riverrun. She had always had a fear of nobility since her mother's death. "Don't worry Lyra, it's my family, they won't hurt you. I promise." Will whispered to her as they walked towards the throne.
Not many women would fine Will handsome, but Lyra was different. She didn't know what it was, but she just found his face appealing, not to mention the things he had done for her and his family to get them back. She admired that about him above all else. She couldn't help but smile at the look on his face when he finally saw his brother, with his mother standing right next to him. Lady Stark looked like an older version of Sansa, beautiful even in her older age. The five that had traveled together stood in the throne room, Robb Stark was surrounded by his lords, all of whom bow to Will, Sansa, and Arya as the entered the room.
The first thing to happen was Will's wolf Norvern running up to Robb's wolf that Will had told her was named 'Grey Wind'. The two wolves who were brothers nipped at each other playfully and seemed overjoyed to see each other.
"My Lords, please leave the room. I wish to talk with my family again, alone." Robb Stark ordered.
Every lord left the hall, every one of them shaking Will's hand and telling him how good it was to have their prince back. After the hall had been cleared Sansa and Arya rushed to their mother. The two of them hugged her, like they had not seen her in years. It must have really felt like years to the two poor girls. Robb got off his throne and enveloped his brother in a hug so tight Lyra thought Will would crush in half. Gendry and she both seemed to feel out of place.
She knew right when she saw him Gendry was one of her father's other bastards. He looked too much like her and him not to be. Part of her was excited, she had finally found another real family member. The other part of her felt bad for him, because now, just like her, the queen would be hunting him till the end of her days.
Lyra inched closer to the reuniting Starks enough to hear Will talk as he hugged his mother. "I'm so, so sorry mother. I should have done more, I should have saved him somehow." He said, tears threating his eyes.
Lady Stark simply kissed her son on the head and held him close, "Shhh, don't think like that William. You could not have done anything my son." She said, tears threating her as well.
Will pulled away, and Lady Stark called for servants, "Please, take my daughters and my son to get cleaned and fed. Gods know they need it." She said smiling at her children.
Lyra almost panicked at the idea of Will leaving her alone, but the King of the North spoke up. "Please, Will stay. I need to talk to you. Your other two companions can stay as well." He spoke.
Will hugged both of his sisters before the two were escorted out of the throne room to be bathed and fed. Robb walked back to his throne and sat, he smiled at his brother and laughed.
"Ha, Will you have no idea how good it is to have you here. All these lords chirping in my ear, telling me what they think is best, arguing over everything. I'm about to rip my hair out." He told his younger brother.
Will managed a laugh, "Ha, you're the one who became king. So what's the status of everything?" He asked his older brother.
"We still have Jamie Lannister as a captive. We were going to use him to trade for you, Arya and Sansa, but now that you're all here again, we have leverage over the Lannister's. Tywin Lannister is at Harrenhall, the truth is brother we don't have the men to deal with the Lannister's alone. However, before we discuss that, please, tell me and mother everything that has happened." The King asked of his younger brother.
Will took a deep breath and looked to Lyra and Gendry, "Well it started when they arrested father after Robert Baratheon's death. Father figured out about the Kingslayer and the Queen. They locked me in a room with Norvern, we managed to escape, but I took a crossbow bolt to the stomach on the way out. If… if not for Lyra here, I would be dead." Will told them, gesturing for her to move forward.
Lyra did so tentatively. She stood close to Will while he continued the story. "She killed the Lannister men attacking me, by herself and then helped me back to health, if not for her, I would surely be dead. After that, she helped me sneak into Kings Landing and rescue Sansa. After a few more days, we found a band of Night's Watch recruits being attacked by Gold Cloaks, Gendry here, defended Arya until we arrived, then he helped us take out what was left. After that I sent you the raven, and we made for Riverrun, until Lord Umber found us." Will finished gesturing for Gendry to step forward.
Lyra felt the eyes of Lady Stark and Robb Stark examine her. Her hands were shaking now, remembering the last few times she had been at court with nobles was hard for her. She knew that nothing bad would become of her with Will there, but she couldn't help her nerves.
The King of the North spoke, "My Lady, I thank you for helping my brother. I am in your debt, and I'm sure my mother is as well. Please, if you would have anything of me, ask it, as repayment for saving my brother, and helping save my sisters." He said generously.
Lyra could hear the genuine thanks in his words, which helped her calm down some. Will looked at her encouragingly, his smile calmed her down. She took a deep breath and remembered all the times she watched court take place.
"Please your Grace, I'm no Lady, I'm just Lyra I always have been and always will be. T… the only thing I ask is, that I be allowed to remain traveling with Will. You see the Lannister's they burned down the cabin I was living in… it was the only place I could call home. I wish to fight them, alongside Will." Lyra begged, trying to keep her composure at the mention of her home being burned.
Robb Stark didn't look brooding, like he was thinking on her request. She expected it. All the nobles she had met in her time with her father, always thought on whatever gift they thought to give. They wanted to see if giving out what they promised would benefit them. Robb Stark didn't do that. He simply seemed to smile at the fire she had, his smile was just like Will's warming, and it made her nerves start to dissolve.
"Are you of the North Lyra?" Robb Stark asked her.
Lyra shook her head, "No your Grace, my mother was. She was originally from White Harbor, but she was a traveling minstrel." Lyra explained.
Lady Stark was the next to speak, "I am sorry if it gives offense, but where is your mother now? And what of your father?" She asked.
Lyra tensed again. Will still did not know her father was the former King of the Seven Kingdoms. She didn't want people to treat her a certain way because of who her father was. She was a bastard, and a King's bastard, no she wanted to carve out her own story as Lyra, not as Lyra Waters the bastard daughter of Robert Baratheon. Also… after what the queen had did she knew she could never reveal her parentage again.
"M… my mother died, she was robbed, and killed a year ago in Flee Bottom. I… never knew my father." Lyra lied to them.
She looked over at Will who was looking at her as if she had just grown a dragons head. Lyra almost stabbed herself for not remembering, she had told Will her mother died of a sickness. She was almost sure Will was going to call her out right then and there, but he didn't. He just stood there, looking at her. She knew she was going to have to explain things to him after this was over.
Lady Stark seemed to feel genuinely bad about asking the question, but Robb Stark spoke up next.
"Lyra, from my brother's words you have proven yourself a true ally of House Stark and the North. On behalf of us all I thank you. Your request will be granted, you will become Will's sworn shield. You will travel with him on all missions he goes on, and protect him. Do you accept these terms?" He said to her, which got a smile from Will.
Lyra was blown away, all she asked was to be able to follow him. However now she was going to be a sworn sword. She would've turned down the offer if it was for anyone else other than Will. She knew sworn swords were also sworn to serve the ones they were sworn to protect, and that sounded to Lyra like a job as a glorified servant. However with Will she knew he would never dare order her to do anything she didn't want to do. It would be like they were now, she would simply travel and fight Lannister's with him.
Lyra bowed her head to the King in the North. "Your Grace I accept." She said with a smile.
The King of the North smiled. "Good, after we are done here, report to the armory you will have armor made for you that befits you. Along with you my brother as well." He said to the two of them.
Will smiled and then gestured to Gendry, "Robb I have offered Gendry a position as a squire for a knight. He helped protect Arya, and I started to train him with a blade, he shows great promise." He said.
The King in the North once again nodded and smiled to Gendry, "Gendry, I thank you for helping my sister. Will's reward seems to be a good one, you will become a squire. I know the perfect man for you to squire for. Gendry you will become the squire to Greatjon Umber, the lord of The Last Hearth." He said, and Lyra's half sibling looked as if he was about to pass out.
Gendry got down to one knee, "Your Grace thank you. I never thought that I would amount to this. I will not let you or Will's faith in me be misplaced." He promised.
Robb Stark chuckled and gestured for him to stand. Lyra was beginning to like Will's older brother more and more. He seemed like a very just honorable man, between him and his father she could see now where Will inherited his traits from. Robb called for his squire, a weak sickly looking boy, who must have been a Frey, Lyra had seen enough of them before to know one.
"Olyvar, please show Gendry to Lord Umber's tent. Let the Greatjon know what I ordered, he will be pleased to have another squire." Robb said nodding his head.
Olyvar nodded and Gendry followed him out of the throne room. This left Lyra, Will and Lady Stark. Will took in a deep breath and clapped his hands together. "So my dear brother, now care to fill me in on how the war goes?"
Robb nodded his head and gestured for his brother to follow. So Lyra followed the group of them to the Riverrun war room. Robb had a map of the seven kingdoms laid out on the table, and figurines placed to resemble troop numbers and encampments all over it. The four of them gathered around the table, Lyra stood close to Will, and examined the table with him.
"Like I said earlier, the truth is, we simply do not have enough men to handle all of these Lannister forces head on. My victories so far have not come without cost. It will only be a matter of time until we run out of men." Robb explained in a grim tone, Lyra could tell he hadn't told this reality to anyone.
Will thought on what his brother said for a minute, then pointed to two areas, the reach, south of Kings Landing, and Dragonstone. "Have you considered reaching out for allies? They are calling this the war of the five kings, there are four other kings."
"I have reached out. I sent Theon to the Iron Islands to negotiate for his father's help." Robb told them.
Will straight away stared at his brother incredulously. "You WHAT!? Robb do you realize our father is part of the reason his two sons are dead? And you think he's just going to help us?" He asked his brother.
For the first time Lyra saw Robb Stark grow a slightly annoyed and angry look. She now saw why he was called the Young Wolf. "I don't need to hear this from you as well Will. I trust Theon, he said he can convince his father to help us. I promised him crown and any lands they capture." He explained.
Will sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Robb didn't you ever read about the Iron Islands? They don't take things that people GIVE them. They pay the 'iron price' they TAKE things they want." He explained.
With two direwolves at his side, Robb Stark looked even more intimidating now. However Norvern walked over to Will who gently started to stroke his wolfs head. Robb sighed, "Look I trust Theon, even if he doesn't get his father's support, he will still come back to us.
Will smiled lightly, "I hope your right brother. However let's assume we don't get the Greyjoy's support. What about Renly and Stannis Baratheon? One of them could support us."
Robb pointed to Dragonstone, "Stannis won't have it, and he won't recognize our claim for independence. He's the rightful king, but he's a hard man, and won't change his mind."
That was an understatement, is what Lyra almost said allowed. However Will took over again and pointed to the reach. "I hear Renly Baratheon has married Margery Tyrell and now has over 100,000 men at his command."
Robb nodded his head, "Yes, it's true. However I don't know how I feel about Renly, I've never met him, don't know what he's like."
"Lord Renly is greatly loved by the people." Lyra blurted out, regretting it.
The three Starks looked at her. Will seemed to be waiting for her to continue, which she tentatively did. "I… I have lived near the Kings Road for almost a year, I hear many things from people passing by. Renly Baratheon is loved by his people, much more than Stannis or Joffrey." She explained.
Will nodded his head impressed, and continued with questions. "And what do you know of Stannis?" He asked her.
"Rumor has it, he's gone mad on Dragonstone. They say he worships the Lord of Light and burns men alive as sacrifices to him." Lyra told them, repeating the rumors she had heard.
Robb sighed and kept his glance down on the map. He finally looked up to Lyra and his brother. "Okay, I've decided what we will do. Will, I know you just returned but-."
"Robb surely you could have someone else! You have a number of Lords who could do this. He JUST returned!" Lady Stark urged.
Robb looked at Will, "And I don't trust any of those Lords as much as I trust my brother. Will, I'm sending you to the Stormlands to negotiate with Renly Baratheon."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
One week later.
The one week she had spent in the Northern camp was a fun one for Lyra. She continued to teach Sansa and Arya lessons, in secret of course. She was now a sworn sword of William Stark so she went where he went whenever she wasn't bathing or teaching his sisters. She had been waiting all week for Will to question her about why she had lied to him about her mother. However it hadn't come yet, and today was the day they were meant to leave for the Stormlands. She was nervous to head south again, she didn't want to go back near Kings Landing.
However currently she was focused on helping Sansa learn to fire arrows with ease. The girl was rapidly improving, while she was no expert yet, she could hold her own if it came down to it.
"Okay, now just remember the steps I taught you. Repeat them for me." Lyra instructed as Sansa aimed towards the target.
She held the bow string back tight, and her hand went white from holding the bow so hard. "Breath, relax, eye on the target, and-." With the next word she let the arrow fly.
The arrow flew and it hit the center of the target. Sansa's mouth opened wide and she smiled, it was the first time she had managed to hit the direct center of the target. Lyra couldn't help but smile at her student. Sansa and she had developed a very string friendship. She had a good relationship with Arya as well, but Arya spent most of her time in the last week with either Gendry or Will training herself. Sansa again wore a light grey cotton shirt with black pants and boots, and Lyra could see she was becoming more and more comfortable with that type of wardrobe. However she did still wear dresses often.
"Did you see that Lyra!? I hit it, I hit the center!" She exclaimed hugging the older girl.
Lyra was shocked at first but smiled widely and hugged her back. Sansa looked at her and smiled again. "Lyra thank you so much! I never imagined I'd be able to do something like this! I always thought I'd just be some Lords lady, I can't believe I wanted just that! You helped me realize I can do more than just be a lady, thank you." She said hugging her tighter.
Lyra felt sheepish, she felt great about helping the girl realize her potential. She hadn't really had someone thank her for something like that before. She almost didn't know how to react. She had just did what she could to help a girl, who reminded her so much of herself when she was 13 years old. Lyra once thought as Sansa used to think, from the time she spent with her father she had thought one day she would end up a lady, and have some highborn Lords children. After her mother died she realized her life would never be that.
"You had it in you the entire time Sansa. It just took going through what you went through to unlock it. You took what happened and you turned it into your strength." Lyra explained to the young girl.
Before Sansa could say anything else, someone else spoke from behind the two girls. "Wow Sansa you hit the target! That's amazing!" William Stark exclaimed looking at the arrow in the target.
Sansa rushed over and hugged her brother. "Will I did it! I hit the center!" She exclaimed.
Will looked at his sister and Lyra could practically see the pride swelling up inside him. "I am so proud of you Sansa. You're going to show the Lannister's you're not just a 'little dove.'" Will told her fiercely.
Sansa nodded with determination, Lyra knew one day she would want revenge on King Joffrey. Will looked over to her, the two had not really had a long conversation since the throne room, and Lyra was just waiting for him to ask her about it.
"Lyra, it's time. Come on, our armor and weapons are ready in the armory. Sansa, I'll be back in time for your name day, I promise." Will said confidently, kissing his sisters forehead.
He walked off before Lyra could say anything to him. She almost couldn't take it, not talking to him. She had come to depend on Will to be there whenever she just wanted to talk. She missed the stupid face he got when he tried to act funny, and the way he'd always know exactly what to say to her. She should just tell him everything, but how could she tell other people what happened, when she herself was not over it? Her father and mother were both dead, and she could bring neither of them back.
She smiled at Sansa, before she started walking away. She felt Sansa hold her arm, she turned back and saw the worried look on Sansa's face. "Lyra… I know he can take care of himself but… please, please don't let anything happen to Will." She practically begged her.
Lyra smiled confidently at the young Stark, "Don't worry Sansa, I am his sworn shield after all."
On her way to the armory she waved a hello to Gendry and Arya. Gendry had been thriving in his first week under the Greatjon Umber. Gendry was sparring with the giant man, while Arya watched on. Arya looked very different now. Her hair had begun to grow longer again, and she was still wearing her normal clothes, still refusing to be put in a dress. Lady Stark had tried to get her back into a dress at first, but decided she was just glad to have her daughter back the way she was, and didn't want to push the issue.
She got to the armory just in time to see Will putting on the gloves of his new armor. It was larger armor, but not massive. It was plated with chain mail, it was grey with the green direwolf sigil implanted into the chest. Lyra would be the first to admit he looked great in it. It just looked so natural to him to have that armor on, like he was born to command.
He turned to her and smiled, "Good you're hear, come on your armor's here. Also, I had them make you something else."
Lyra spotted the armor that was made for her and almost gasped. It was brilliant. Lyra slowly put it on, it fit her perfectly. It had a direwolf sigil implanted into the two shoulder pads. The strips of leather were hard, and crossed down her chest piece, and the greaves fit perfectly around her thighs, and the boots fit her perfectly. She was already smiling from the armor she had gotten, but then she saw the bow.
"I knew you probably wouldn't want to switch bows, so here. I had the smiths make a few… improvements. Also, I had them make you this, it was about time you had a proper sword." He said handing the bow and sword sheath to her.
She noticed her bow first. It was just as Will said, her bow, the one she had found in her cabin the day she stumbled upon it. She would know it anywhere. The string felt stronger, and she could see the direwolf sigil that had been implanted right below the notch. She strapped on the bow glove, and examined the sword next.
It was a long sword just like Will's but she could lift this one easily, and moved it around the same. Just like the rest of her gear a Stark sigil was stamped into the handle. The hilt was simple, and the blade looked deadly. It was without a doubt the best castle forged steel available. She looked to Will, who just smirked at her.
"All the best swords have names you know, something clever." He said to her.
"Like 'Frozen Wind' is such a clever name." She questioned him.
The two of them laughed and she strapped on the sword. Will leaned back against a table and just looked at her. His armor gleamed in the sun, and his grey eyes bore into her. She didn't say anything, just met her blue eyes with his.
"Why did you lie to my brother about your mother Lyra? Or was it me you lied to about her?" He asked her.
His tone wasn't angry, simply inquisitive. Lyra had not expected him to yell at her, Will was not that kind of man. He never seemed to get angry with her, even when she would start yelling at him. He would just get that stupidly attractive grin on his face. However he didn't get that now, he simply stared at her. His face neither smiling, nor frowning, his lips in a perfectly straight line.
"I… I didn't want either of you to know that my mother was murdered." She said her voice shaking.
Will clanked over to her in his armor. He held a hand on her arm, which sent tingles down and up her arm.
"Lyra, why didn't you tell me? Did you not trust me?" He said, looking genuinely hurt.
Lyra didn't like this at all. Seeing Will look at her with those sad eyes were stabbing through her like a sword. How could Lyra not trust him? She had nursed him back to life, fought by his side, and had been at his side for almost three weeks now. It wasn't a long time, but Lyra had come to rely on his companionship, he was her first true friend in over a year. She would be stupid not to trust him.
"No! It's not that I don't trust you, it's just… if you knew who killed her, and why, you'd be in danger… and you'd look at me differently." She told him, with tears now threatening herself.
Will for the first time looked taken aback. He didn't ask her any further questions, he hugged her, and she hugged him back. He stroked her hair while she cried into him. She was despised by herself the last three weeks. Since she's known William Stark she's cried three times, all into his shoulder. She was better than this, she was strong, and she had been acting like a weak little girl, like she used to be.
She wiped her tears and pulled back from Will. He looked to handsome to her right now. His brown hair was cut short, and he had bits of a beard growing. His grey eyes were big and concerned, but Lyra composed herself.
"How would I look at you differently? Lyra, who killed your mother? Who, was, your, father!?" Will asked, practically pleading.
Lyra remained silent. She just looked at Will, her crystal blue eyes were stinging from her trying to hold back her tears. Will sat there, his eyes filled with concern, waiting for her answer. However, one didn't come. She just stood there, looking down at the ground. She didn't need to look at Will again to know he was hurt, her not trusting him, really hurt the boy who she could feel herself growing even closer to.
She heard him sigh and rest his hand on his sword. "Alright then, I can understand when I'm not trusted." He said, sounding hurt.
"No Will please-."
She tried to reach for his arm but he pulled away, he walked to the door. "We're leaving in a few minutes, I'll meet you at the gates." He said before walking out of the armory.
Will could have just plunged a dagger right into Lyra's heart and it would've hurt less. She trusted Will above all other people, she had not had someone to trust since her mother was alive. Everything about Will screamed someone you could trust. She had heard stories of the honorable, great, Ned Stark, and she now knew all of his children were just like their father had been described. She also now didn't doubt she was falling in love with his second born son.
She was needed to gather her emotions together again, and needed to focus back on the task at hand. Something she had in common with Will was that she was also fighting to avenge her father. She remembered the last thing her father had ever said to her, the last time he saw her.
"You're a Baratheon Lyra. You may not have the name but you have the blood. Whenever you find yourself in trouble, just remember 'Ours is the Fury', you are a Baratheon and a Baratheon never stops fighting for what's right."
Lyra took in a deep breath and picked up her bow from the table, and made sure her new sword was attached to her hip.
She took in and let out another deep breath, "I am a Baratheon, and 'Ours is the Fury'."
A:N) So here it is guys I'm so sorry for the late update I meant to have this up yesterday, but I was still shaking from The Battle of the Bastards. WHY DIDN'T YOU ZIG ZAG RICKON!?
So I know that there isn't any action in this episode however I hope you enjoyed the character development for Lyra, and the Starks coming back together.
So next chapter Lyra and Will are going to the Stormlands to meet Renly. What do you think will happen when Will and Lyra meet the likes of Margarey and Renly?
So please leave a review, and if you want leave a question in your review, if any questions are asked in a review from now on I will answer the question in the A/N of the next chapter.
I also want to announce that after a few more chapters of this story are out, I will be starting a few more Game of Thrones stories, if you follow me you know I love doing OC stories. So I have a few story plans
-Story of a truborn son of Robert Baratheon
-Story of the Mad King's youngest son (Dany's twin)
These two stories will more than likely start after a few more episodes of this story, so if you have any questions about them, please let me know!
So as usual guys, thank you so much for reading, please leave a review! As always guys remember "Winter is Coming" -domgk115