Lyanna was exhausted as she made her way into her chambers, it had not been easy to sit by the King's side, to smile at his stories, or listening to him vent. But she needed to remain in is confidence, and for the last two weeks she had done everything in her power to do so. Yet as she sat down by the small desk in her bedchamber and began to write her letter she could not help but think that this would be the first time she had been able to tell anyone her thoughts and feelings on what had happened since the king's death. It was her first chance to explain why she seemingly had turned her back on her family. Why she had taken the side of the Lannisters.
In fact it was a wonder Jory had agreed to deliver the letter when she spoke with him about his return to Winterfell and Rob, the acting Lord of the North. At least that was the title he would hold until she could convince the King to release her father, or until the Queen convinced him to end his life. After that it would either belong to their father once more, or the King and his mother's chosen another. Not that Lyanna believed anyone but a Stark would ever be able to hold the north. It was after all their birthright; the very land would rise up and help them if needed be. Only a Stark could feel the winter coming, and only a Stark could assure its survival when it came.
My dearest Jon,
I wish I was writing you this letter, the first I have allowed myself to write since our parting, because I wished to share with you the joys and wonders of King's Landing, and of my married life. But I fear it is not, much has happened since we last saw each other and very little of it good. I do not know how much of it you have been made aware though ravens from our father and siblings, but it can not have been detailed. That, as you know, is the reason I refuse to use ravens with you. When I write or talk with you, my other half, I can not remain short or speak only a few words. It would be too cruel to both you and myself to do so. But Jory is returning to Winterfell, as I am sure his mere presence as he hands you this letter will tell you, and I took the opportunity to write you and tell you all that have and are happening to me and our family in King's Landing.
I will start by telling you something that will ease your worry, my husband has been nothing but kind to me. As I told you that last night in Winterfell, he does not love me, but he is caring when we are together. And while he has left King's Landing he left me with a part of himself, you see I am with child. I do not know if it pleases me or not, but for each day I grow to like the idea more and more. Perhaps I shall have twins. If such is the case I need never worry about either of my children for they will always have each other. Just as I will always have you, and you me, no matter the distance between us. I see a similar bond between my husband and the Queen, so I dare to say it is the magic of twins that we have been both blessed and cursed with. Just as you and I are one soul, so are they, and hence I shall never be first in his heart as he shall never be first in mine.
Less pleasant news is the reason my husband is not by my side; he chose to ride to war with Lady Stark and her sister over his brother. You see, our father's wife has come to blame Lord Tyrion for the attack on our brother, though I am certain he is innocent. My husband's family gave our father an ultimatum to release my dear friend within a certain time frame, but when he failed to arrange it a war was inevitable. To keep me a part from the feud the King named me his ward and moved me to the Red Keep. As such I have had a front row seat to what has followed and it is not a pretty tale. Not since that ill-fated hunt two weeks ago.
The King is dead, killed by a wild boar of all things. It is, in my opinion, a deserved end for such a man. I know our father held him in high esteem, but I fear I saw him only as an ignorant drunk, and whoring swine. I dare say our aunt's death was her salvation. I pity the Queen for having to been married to him. But she has bore it well, and I believe it has made her my greatest adversary as our new monarch, King Joffrey, has taken a liking to me and often lends me his ear. It is a relationship she despise, and me because of it. I fear it is a dangerous game we play, but one I must for the sake of not just myself, but also of our father and sisters. It is a fate that has fallen on me since our father's arrest. An event that must have reached even the Great Wall.
I was not there the arrest took place and do not know the full tale, but he questioned the King's right to the throne. I dare nor speculate if it is true or not, for should I do so all will be lost to us. It is, I fear, only my good opinion and whispers that is keeping the King from having his head shopped off. But while my relationship with the King is keeping our father alive, it has made our eldest sister cold towards me. She thinks I am stealing her betrothed, that she would have been enough to keep our family safe. It would not have, it is clear to see the King has no great affection for her, though she is too blind to see it. The joy she once showed for my unborn child has cooled substantially and now she only sees the child as a tool and a weapon that will keep her King from my bed. Though her new attitude towards me is difficult, I do share her views to a certain extent. This child and my marriage to the King's uncle is the only thing stopping him from taking me to his bed. Just as out father's friendship was the only thing that stopped the late King Robert.
Brother, tell me, what have I done to be placed in such situations again and again? Is it because of what I tried to do that last night on our childhood home? Is it the gods punishing me? For they must be punishing me for something, for my only ally, our beloved Arya, has disappeared, or in my belief run away. While I can keep the King from acting against our father and Sansa, I fear I have no power to protect Arya when she is not by my side. I only pray whatever my sin is it is not too great, and will not cost Arya her life. For if there is one Stark that must be allowed to live until she is too old to walk, and surrounded by her loved ones, it is she.
This is not all I want to tell you, but then not all the parchment in King's Landing would have been enough for me to do so. Hence this will have to suffice for now. Be careful on the wall and beyond. For you are my only hope if my plans would fail me, so you see, for my sake, you must stay strong and alive.
Yours,
Lyanna
She sealed the letter with the Lannister seal; it was after all her seal now too, her and her child's. Though she had not written to inform her husband of their child. Not that she doubted for a second that the Queen has informed him, or at least their father. Lord Tywin had after all had a gift and a letter delivered to her, promising her safety and congratulating her on the new heir, for he was certain it would be a boy. Jaime had said nothing, not even sent a raven with a short message. It made her wonder if he knew or if he ever left the heat of battle. She did not know. But the thought made her pull out another parchment.
My dear brother,
I do not want to know what you must think of me at this very moment, but know that what I do I do for our family. I have not turned my back on you. I do what I have to in order to survive and keep Sansa and father as safe as I can. But I must ask you to look for Arya. The Queen would have you, and everyone else, believe she is here, but she is not. The King informed me that she is gone, she simply disappeared when they sent guards to fetch her after father's arrest. You must find her, she is but a girl who knows little of the real world. Keep her safe. And should you come upon my husband on the battlefield, know that he fathered your niece or nephew, and if possible let him know before you send him to the next life. I want him to know.
Your sister,
Lyanna
In truth Lyanna doubted her brother would stand a chance against her husband, her words had been more to give him an ace up his sleeve if Jaime captured him or were about to kill him. Perhaps the reminder that they shared family would help. After all there was little Lannisters valued more than family. For now that was all she could do for her brother.
Folding her second letter she retired to her bed, only to personally hand Jory the letters the next morning before he and the other Stark guards were being sent away from King's Landing and their imprisoned lord. She wondered if she would ever see him again.
Her world was changing around her, faster than she could have imagined, and all she could do was run as fast as she could and hope to not be left behind. Like her sister she might be held in the gilded cage of the Red Keep, but unlike Sansa she knew how to please the hand that fed her and how to use the power such knowledge gave. But while it might give her more power than most free men she was still in a cage.
TBC...
