Chapter 6: A Homeless Girl with A Dead Girl's Face

When I was growing up I always felt so alone.

I remember being surrounded by other people at one of the summer camps that they sent me to, but I still felt out-of-place. It still felt like all these kids were on this different plane, and I was alone on the outside, looking in on their friendships.

It's strange. I spend so much of my time alone, but the feeling still hits me. The waves of fear crash on me so often, I don't know what I would do if I ever actually found my place.

I don't know what I expected when I entered that small room in that castle so far away from my apartment. I think a part of me was hoping that they would accept me into their home like my parents never seemed to be able to do. Maybe they would even give me the opportunity to save them from their looming fates that I knew all too well. Maybe this could actually be a place for me, regardless of whatever nasty fate had brought me here. This reality has no place for an optimist though.

I stepped in as Catelyn left the room. I felt the warm Tully air whirl past me as I remembered my lessons from my summer at etiquette camp. Shoulders back. Smile. One problem at a time.

"Close the door."

I did as the Stark Lord's deep voice commanded and stood across from him in the quiet of the room.

"I'm afraid there are no open positions for employment, and we are already looking after one ward. You are free to keep the clothes we have given you, but we can not house you."

I couldn't hide the disappointment on my face. I felt it drip down like tears, causing my face to fall slightly. I knew it was a long shot to begin with, but I figured that with all the unlikely events happening in my life I might have a decent chance. There must have been a reason for me to end up here. "I understand." I bowed my head in reluctant acceptance and heard my heart beating. The thumps were loud and uneven, racing out of my chest and floating around me as I stared across the space to Eddard Stark. The Ned. He would die soon. I had read it a hundred times, and each time it hurt. I had to try. I had to try to save one of the few decent families of this story from the horrors to come. My mouth blurted words out, "Don't let Bran climb during the King's Visit, especially during the hunting trip."

His head tilted and he stared at me, almost confused. I couldn't blame him. "How do you know about Bran's fascination with climbing?"

I paused. If I told him he would think I was insane. However, this would probably be my last chance. Lords don't often have audiences with smallfolk. "I wasn't truthful about my purpose here. I've seen what is to come for you and your family. It is why I am here, I think. So please, during your hunt take him with you. Either that or don't let him climb." My mind raced to the other crux. "And you will get a message from Lysa during the King's Visit as well. In a box, with a lens. But you must not trust her. She is not good like you are."

"I am supposed to believe that you've seen our futures?" He stared at me again for a moment before speaking, "Sit." He gestured to a chair, and I immediately sat down. He sat in a chair behind a desk and for a minute the silence just hung around us like it did so often when I spent time with my parents. "Where exactly do you come from, Dahlia of House Emerson?"

"Worlds away," I laughed.

"Essos?"

I tried to think quickly about how to navigate this terrain. "No, further than that. So far it is a miracle that I made it here at all."

He looked to my bandaged arm, and I could have sworn true concern crossed his face. I'd seen a flash of that once on my mother's face after my trip to the hospital. "Why was that man trying to kill you?"

"I believe he might be insane. I'm actually pretty sure he is." I laughed again, and he stared at me again, like he had during our last conversation.

"You look so much like her now that you've been cleaned up." His eyes began to glaze over. "It's as though I've seen a ghost."

"Like who?"

"My sister, Lyanna."

My eyes widened for a split second before I shook my head a few dozen times. "She was so lovely that a war broke out because of her beauty." I laughed, "I can't look anything like her. There won't be any wars fought over me."

"You call me a liar?"

"No, my Lord. You're just too kind."

He straightened his posture, and I mimicked his movements. "Catelyn wishes for you to leave. She thinks that by extending kindness to you I will be showing weakness to the people of the North, to the other Lords." His eyes bore into mine as he continued, "But she doesn't understand."

I furrowed my brow. "Understand what?"

"You look so much like her. How could I ever do that?" He stood up, and I followed suit. "And with Jon Arryn's passing… You were sent to us for a reason, otherwise why would you look like her?"

I remained silent.

"My youngest son, Rickon, is unruly. Every maid we have look after him can not seem to tame him, but perhaps you can."

I felt a small smile cross my lips. Little Rickon. I've always wanted more time with Rickon, and now was my chance. "Of course, Lord Stark. Thank you for this. You can't know how much it means to me." When I left the room, in the wake of Ned Stark's kindness, I felt this warmth in my gut for a split second.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the long wait. I have not abandoned this story, obviously, and hopefully I can get some real progress before the school year hits. I would love feedback, anything is good as long as it is honest and constructive. Thank you for waiting so long. I will try not to let that happen again!