Lyra stood staring out at vast stretch of water that was Blackwater bay. Her Uncle Ned and Jory were securing her enough supplies and coin to last her until Winterfell.
She didn't even jump when she heard footsteps approaching from behind her, hearing the swishing of the fabric of his cloak she knew exactly who it was, she'd asked her Uncle Ned to bring him here to her.
"The dusk looks beautiful on this side of the castle don't you think?" Renly asked moving to stand beside her as he braced his hands upon the balcony. Hearing no reply from Lyra he sighed and hanged his head slightly. "You're angry with me, I understand. But just know that I'm only doing this to protect you. Do you really think I would rather having you riding on your own for a month than have you here with me? Lyra, I've waited seven years to see you. It's killing me that it has to end with you being angry with me"
"I'm angry, but not with you" Lyra replied not even sparing a glance towards her Uncle.
Renly let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. "Thank the gods, I can tell Stannis not to bother with arranging my funeral then. What are you angry about?" Renly asked turning his body to face her.
"My own stupidity" Lyra replied as her hands clenched tighter the balcony stone in front of her. "I should have known better than to raise my sword against Joffrey"
"Yes, you should've. That doesn't make sense why you're angry though" Renly spoke.
Lyra turned to face her Uncle who was surprised at the tears welling in her blue eyes. "I swore to protect my family; how can I protect them if I'm not with them? Arya, Sansa, Uncle Ned, you...even Uncle Robert"
"What has you thinking you need to protect the King?" Renly asked with slight amusement in his tone. "We're your Uncles Lyra, we protect you not the other way around"
Lyra almost let out a small laugh. "Uncle Renly, you and I both know the Lannisters own this city. Robert may be the King but his throne and his people belong to the Lannisters. They view anyone who doesn't have their pissy blond hair, glaring green eyes and shitty arrogant smirk as a threat. Including both of us, including the King. We're not safe. None of us are safe while Tywin Lannister lives, breathes and shits gold and his daughter's no different"
"His daughter? What about his sons?" Renly asked.
"Tyrion is no threat, he's smart but he's not a fighter. The Kingslayer is all talk and no action. He might have been something to marvel at in his youth but he's older now. He's just a piece in someone else's game, he wouldn't do anything unless his sister or father commanded it" Lyra answered.
She frowned as she heard her Uncle chuckling softly beside her. "The way you talk about the Kingslayer, you remind me of your mother. She never had much time for the man either" Renly admitted, his eyes showing an emotion that dug deep at Lyra's heart. It never occurred to her until now how much it must pain her Uncles to see a living reminder of the sister they loved so dearly.
"I'm going to miss you" Lyra smiled softly as she reached over and placed her hand over Renlys who gave her a warm smile in return.
"And I you" He replied his hand moving to wrap itself around her much smaller one.
"Let's hope it's not another seven years before we see each other again" Lyra grinned
"It won't be, I promise" Renly replied squeezing her hand tightly in his.
"Lyra" Eddard Starks voice came from the doorway of the balcony causing both niece and Uncle to turn towards him. "Gather your things, it's almost time" and with that he disappeared back into the Red Keep.
Lyra looked up at her uncle Renly with an emotion that almost resembled fear in her eyes. She quickly reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, embracing him warmly. He in turn wrapped his around her waist pulling her to him.
"I love you Uncle Renly" she whispered into his ear causing his grip upon her to tighten slightly.
"I love you too little doe" He replied before they both released each other and stepped back.
This time it was Lyra who was shocked as a tear rolled its wat down Renly's cheek. "And remember if you run into trouble turn back and ride hard and fast for Storms End, I'll meet you there"
"I will I promise" Lyra nodded as Renlys hand cupped her cheek gently, his thumb wiping away a tear she hadn't even felt escape before he leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss upon her forehead.
"No matter what anyone says, you are your mothers daughter. A Baratheon daughter" Renly spoke. "If you need to show them why our words are Ours is the Fury"
"I think mine should be Winter is the Fury" Lyra fought through the tears to grin making Renly give a breathy chuckle.
"Lyra" Once again Eddard Stark stood in the doorway. "It's time"
The pair had not even noticed that the sun was now starting to embrace the sea, it would soon be dark enough for her to leave unnoticed.
"Be safe" Renly whispered With one last quick embrace with her Uncle Renly, Lyra followed her Uncle Ned back up to her chambers to gather her things for the long journey a head of her.
True to his word the moment the sun disappeared completely allowing the stars above to shine brightly her Uncle Ned told her it was time to leave. She made her way down to the stables of the Red Keep where only a few guards were lingering around.
"Hello boy" She smiled as she brought Frosts bridle over to his stall and began to put it on him. She led him out into the middle of the stables where she had much more room to put his saddle on.
That's when she heard the small light footsteps making their way into the reasonably quiet stable. Lyra turned to see Arya making her way towards her. The young girls hair was ragged from sleep.
"What are you doing up?" Lyra asked throwing Frosts saddle onto his back.
"I heard you leaving and thought I could come with you" Arya smiled.
"You can't, it's not safe" Lyra replied shaking her head as she began to tighten her saddle.
"That's why I've got this" Arya smiled holding up a tiny but sharp, thin blade making Lyra frown in confusion. How on earth had she managed to hide that from her for so long?
"Give it here" Lyra smirked holding out her hand which Arya quickly placed the small blade into. "Which one of your maniacal brothers had Mikken make for you, Robb or Jon?" Arya bit her lip, not wanting to answer her older cousins questions. "Or I could have your father write to both of them, or better yet inform your mother and..."
"Jon" Arya answered instantly. "It was Jon"
Lyra let out a small chuckle. "I''m not surprised. He gave me my first blade on my thirteenth name day. Luckily your father knew and taught me how to use it. I wish I could be here to teach you"
"Where are you going?" Arya asked finally noticing her cousin was in riding gear.
"I'm riding back to Winterfell, someone has to teach that half wit of a brother of yours how to run things, and no you can't come" Lyra smirked.
"It's not fair, I didn't even want to come here in the first place, now I can't go home" Arya sighed.
"You'll return to Winterfell one day, I promise" Lyra smiled before she grabbed her younger cousin in a tight hug. "And if I hear you and your sister have been making this difficult for your poor father, you will both have me to answer too. He's got enough on his mind without having to keep you two in line. Say goodbye to your sister for me"
"Don't worry I promise, I'll behave proper" Arya said with a small smile.
"It's properly, not proper." Lyra replied before she leaned down and kissed Arya's forehead, an action that would normally cause the younger girl to throw a fit but this time she allowed it without fuss. "Now go on get back to bed"
It broke Lyra's heart to push away her cousin but she knew she had to do it. As Arya began to make her way back towards the door, Lyra turned back to Frost tears beginning to leak slowly from her eyes.
"Lyra" a whimper in Arya's voice made Lyra turn back to face her.
Lyra frowned in concern at her younger cousin before Arya ran full speed towards her and wrapped her arms around her in an embrace that caused Lyra to stumble slightly with the force of it. Tears made her vision blurry as she felt her younger cousin sobbing against her, this shocked her greatly as Arya never cried, or a tleast she never allowed people to see her cry.
"Arya, look at me" Lyra said unwrapping Arya's arms from around her then she knelt down and wiped the tears from Arya's cheeks with her thumb. "You are going to be fine here on your own, you're strong. Your father won't let anything happen to you or your sister. But I do need you to do something for me"
"Anything" Arya replied. Lyra embraced her enough so that her mouth was beside Arya's ear.
"Do not let needle out of your sight. And more importantly don't let any of the guards see you using it. Use it to keep you and your sister safe. But if you ever feel like you're unsafe here tell your father or tell my uncle Renly he'll help you. And if that doesn't work then you run, as fast and as far as you can away from this place, get somewhere safe and send a raven to me. I promise I will come and find you." she whispered her face inly inches from Arya's to avoid anyone else who may be lurking around hearing them before she pulled back and stood to her full height. "Now go on before Sansa notices you're missing"
The younger Stark gave her one last small smile and took off running back up the steps to their chambers. Lyra was biting her lip to keep the tears in her eyes from spilling over when her Uncle's voice startled her.
"You all set?" Ned asked walking to where Lyra was fastening the last strap of her saddle. She turned to her Uncle with a smile but Ned could see the tears in her eyes.
"Just about, I told Arya to say goodbye to Sansa for me. If they get too much just send a raven and I'll be right back down here to deal with them" she grinned.
"I think I can take anything they throw at me" Ned replied. "Write to me the moment you get to Winterfell so I know you're safe. And tell Robb, Bran and Rickon I miss them and tell your aunt..."
"That you love her" Lyra smiled."Trust me Uncle Ned, she already knows"
"I am so proud of you" Ned smiled placing a hand upon her shoulder.
A wider smile brightened her face. "Thank you Uncle Ned"
"Your father would have been proud too" Ned smiled. Her heart clenched a little as she thought of her parents and the suffering they went through in the very castle she was standing in. Her uncle Ned pulled her into a tight embrace "Stay safe don't do anything stupid" before he placed a gentle kiss upon her hair.
"Can't promise anything Uncle Ned" she chuckled lightly as she wrapped her arms around his well-worn armour, the smell of the faded leather never failing to comfort her.
Ned quickly pulled away from the embrace and took her by the shoulders, his face grim and stern "I'm serious Lyra" his tone suddenly made Lyra afraid. Did he think something was going to happen to her?
"I'll be careful" she replied.
"I love you" Ned smiled
"I love you too Uncle Ned" she smiled before leaning up to kiss his cheek before she turned and mounted her horse. "I'll write to you and let you know how Bran's getting on. Goodbye Uncle Ned"
"Goodbye Lyra" Ned smiled but Lyra could see the worry in his eyes.
She knew he didn't like sending her on such a long journey alone but if anyone else rode with her the Lannisters would be suspicious. She clicked her horse into a canter until she reached the stable doors then she pulled the reins to a halt and turned back to her uncle. A single tear rolled down her Uncles cheek as he stared towards her. She gave a weak, tear filled smile back before she urged her horse out of the stables and began to speed her way towards the gates of Kings Landing before any Lannister guard noticed her and warned her Uncle Robert.
7 years ago
Ned and Jory were sitting in his study discussing Theon's progress in attitude and training since he arrived at Winterfell. Eddard still didn't trust the little kraken, neither did Jory but they both agreed he'd matured a lot in the training yard since being a ward in Winterfell. His attitude had not improved so much.
He and Jory jumped as his study door was thrown open. He felt the weight on his side before he knew what was happening. He pushed dark hair out of his face as he looked at Jory with a shocked expression as his niece sobbed on his shoulder.
"Lyra what in seven hells has happened?" He asked taking the young girl by the shoulder and pushing her away from him so he could see her face. Her eyes were red and tear stained as were her cheeks. Ned had never seen her so hysterical.
"R...Robb" she stuttered wiping her left eye with her sleeve. Neds heart stalled in panic, what had happened to his son? "He and Theon were being mean saying that I can't join them in their games because I'm a girl and that girls are weak and stupid"
Ned let out a small sigh of relief but then was filled with a simmering rage. He knew Robb would never call Lyra weak or stupid so he knew instantly it was Theon, he hated how much influence his new ward had over his eldest son due to his older age.
"Lyra sweetheart come here" he said pulling the small, sobbing girl onto his knee. "I can assure you that you are not stupid or weak"
"I know I'm not, but why would they say something so horrible. I can't help that I'm a girl" she said with the fiery attitude that reminded Ned of Brandon as a child, in the corner Jory chuckled at the little girl's confidence. "I don't like Theon Uncle Ned, does he have to stay with us?"
"I'm afraid he does, it's the Kings demands" Ned sighed. "
The King is my uncle Robert, maybe I can write to him and ask him to change his mind" Lyra said suddenly perking up.
"No little wolf, your Uncle is a stubborn man, I highly doubt even you could change his mind" Eddard smiled.
"If Theon stays here then I don't want to stay here" Lyra said a hint of a snarl in her voice. N
ed smiled in slight amusement. "And tell me where would you go?"
" My Uncle Renlys always talking about wanting me to stay with him in Storms End, maybe I'll go there" this wiped the smile from Neds face, Catelyn had told him when Bran was born that Renly had offered to take Lyra off their hands and take full care of her.
"Your uncle Renly is still a child Lyra, he wouldn't know how to look after you properly" Ned said.
"He wouldn't need to, I can look after myself" Lyra said a hint of her Baratheon stubbornness showing
"Lyra no, you're too young" Ned said with authority in his voice that normally made the rest of his children obey him instantly. But Lyra was not one of his children, she was Brandons child, higher spirited and stubborn. Therefore, she usually went against the alpha of the packs wishes.
Lyra quickly wrangled her way off his lap and ran to the door. "You're just as bad as Theon" she cried as she turned back to face him before sprinting off down the corridor.
Later that night after a long and hard day, Ned was tucking Jon into bed after telling him the story of Bran the builder, a story the seven-year-old never got tired of hearing, but Ned could tell there was something bothering Jon as he was more restless than usual. He leaned down and kissed his wild mess of curls before he stood from the bed and blew out the candle. He had just reached Jons chamber door.
"Ned!" Catelyns cry rang through the castle causing him to sprint out of the door to see her standing in the doorway to Lyras chambers. "Lyra's gone"
They searched her room and every room in the castle they could think of that she would hide before they began to really worry. They called every servant out of bed to find the young girl. Ned had even checked every inch of the Winterfell crypts himself knowing that Lyra sometimes took comfort sitting down there in front of her father's crypt when she was scared or upset. With another hour gone and still no sign of his niece Ned called for Robb, Theon and Jon to be woke and brought to him. If anyone knew where she was, it was those three.
"Mother, what's going on?" A sleepy Robb asked as the three boys were brought in by Jory to stand in front of the Lord.
"Boys, Lyras bed chamber is empty and she's nowhere to be found in the castle, we were wondering if any of you boys know where she would be?" Catelyn asked.
Robb and Theon both shook their heads with confusion on their expressions. Jon however turned his gaze to the floor as he shook his head, catching the adults' attention instantly.
"Jon where is Lyra?" Ned asked seeing the young boy looking very sheepish and guilty.
"I don't know" Jon shrugged but they could tell right away he was lying.
"Jon!" Ned said using his alpha voice that made Robb wince slightly and Theon step back a little.
"She made me promise not to tell" Jon snapped.
"Jon you need to tell us now where she is, we won't tell her you told us" Catelyn said speaking to the boy civilly for the first time in many years.
"Jon this is serious, Lyra could be in danger. Where is she?" Ned snapped beginning to lose patience.
"She said she was going to Storms End, to live with her Uncle Renly" Jon replied, his voice shaky.
Panic settled in Ned stomach. As Catelyn gasped and turned to stare towards her husband.
"Jory, get men ready to ride with me on the King Road, Lyra knows that's the quickest way to Storms end" Ned ordered to his second in command. "Maester, write ahead to Renly, warn him that Lyra may be on her way towards him." "
Shall I also write to Stannis and Robert my lord?" The maester asked.
"Gods no, the last thing the king needs to hear is that we lost his niece" Catelyn replied, her own worry showing.
" Cat get the boys back to bed, I'll need to get myself ready for riding" Ned ordered.
"Father I want to come with you, to help find her" Robb spoke up.
"You can't Robb it's too dangerous" Catelyn said shaking her head.
"She'll hide the moment she knows you're looking for her, she might come out of she knows I'm with you" Robb replied looking up at his mother before he turned back to his father. "Please father, I want to help find her, she could be in danger"
"Who cares, she's just a girl" Theon sniggered. "
She's not just a girl" Robb snapped. Ned and Jon seemed surprise to Robbs sudden hostility towards the older boy, even Theon looked shocked. "She's my cousin, and we're going to find her"
The cold air bit to ever part of Neds exposed skin, he knew if Lyra was out here with her night clothes on she would likely freeze to death if they did not find her soon. The forest was getting darker and darker as they rode on, their flaming torches giving little light in the snow storm around them. Robb sat on his horse beside him, he was more awake now but still looked tired. Jon just looked worried from where he sat upon his horse on the other side of his brother.
"Lyra!" Robbs young voice echoed in the darkness but it was no match for his fathers which could be heard at the back of the search party.
"Lyra!" Ned called out into the darkness.
Jory came riding towards him. "No sign of her my lord, the fast falling snow has already covered any tracks she might have left"
"We have to find her, she'll die in this blizzard" Ser Roderick snapped.
This seemed to shock and terrify both Robbs and Jon as they began frantically calling out Lyra's name and spurring their horses further down the road.
"Lyra!" Neds voice was easily heard over his sons as they began to make a fast pace down the road until they reached the point where the road split into two.
"She might have gone to Uncle Benjen" Jon pointed out.
"That would be worse it's colder up there" Robb replied, his voice clearly panicked.
"My Lord" A scout rode up from the South end of the rode with a light blue cloak in his hand, Lyra's cloak. "We found this about five leagues from here"
"Show me!" Ned ordered galloping after the scout who turned his horse and began to lead Ned towards where the cloak had been found. It was a tiny little path off the Kingsroad that lead into nothing but woodland.
"It was just by those trees my lord" The guard said pointing to two trees that formed over each other, stopping the snow above and protecting the green ground underneath. It almost looked like a shelter.
Ned frowned a little. He knew Lyra was smart despite her young age, too smart to walk around in this type of cold with no cloak on. It was a sign.
"She left it on purpose, she's around here somewhere" Ser Roderick voice the thought that was going through Neds mind.
" Lyra!" Jon called out loudly.
But it was Neds voice that echoed through the dark forest. "Lyra!"
There were a few moments of silence where Ned felt his heart rate begin to increase. What if they were too late? What if the cold had taken her already?
"Uncle Ned" relief overwhelmed him when he heard the small, feminine voice cry out. Suddenly there was a small figure moving within the trees towards them.
"Lyra!" Ned instantly jumped from his horse and ran to the edge of the forest as Lyra stepped out of it and into view. Her cloak was obviously missing and her dress was soaked in snow and torn in certain places, blood stained an area where her knee had been cut. She ran straight towards him the moment she saw him. He knelt down and caught her in his arms, letting his relief out in a sigh that almost came out as a sob. He quickly wrapped the end of his cloak around her shivering form.
"I'm sorry uncle Ned, I'm so sorry" she sobbed out, her teeth chattering harshly as she clung tightly to him.
"Shh it's alright sweetheart, you're safe, that's all I care about now" Ned replied holding her small frame tightly to him.
"Lyra!" Robb called out as he and Jon ran over from where they jumped off their horses. "Thank the gods you're alright" he said before he pulled his younger cousin into an embrace as Ned got to his feet and ordered a scout to ride back to Winterfell and tell his wife they'd found her. Jory jumped off his horse and wrapped his spare cloak around her.
"Lyra I'm sorry, I know I promised but I had to tell them" Jon stuttered out in fear his older cousin would be mad at him instead Lyra flung her arms around him in an embrace to quieten him.
"Jon it's alright, I'm glad you did" Lyra smiled in gratitude.
They rode back for Winterfell instantly where a warm bath was being prepared for Lyra. Mid way through the ride, Ned lanced down to see Lyra had fallen asleep against him, her small body exhausted from the journey and the cold. She looked so young and innocent. It was from that moment on Ned made sure he would protect this young girl with everything he had. For the sake of his brother.